Duterte tests negative for coronavirus

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 13) — President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Friday tested negative for the novel coronavirus disease or COVID-19.

Duterte, along with Go, underwent testing for the viral disease last Thursday.

“The results of the tests for COVID-19 conducted on President Rodrigo Duterte and I turned out negative. We are fit and healthy to perform our duties,” Go said in a statement.

Duterte placed the entire Metro Manila Thursday under “community quarantine” from March 15 to April 14 to contain the virus spread in the metropolis.

"This means that there is no stopping the Chief Executive from performing his primary constitutional duty of serving and protecting the people, especially at this perilous time when our country is faced with a deadly disease that threatens the very lives of our countrymen," said Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo.

Panelo added that Duterte will continue to work and will observe pre-emptive measures to secure his health.

The country now has recorded an additional 12 cases of Covid-19, bringing the total number to 64.