ASIDE from Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo "Albee" Benitez and Congressman Greg Gasayaya, nine of their companions on their trip to Japan last week also tested positive for the Covid-19 virus.
Former councilor andn Team Asenso Representative Lawyer Caesar Distrito, who was also part of the trip, said on Friday, November 11, 2022, that 10 of those who went to Japan with Benitez were found positive for the virus, while the rest tested negative.
Others who tested positive for the virus were Councilors Simplicia Distrito, Jude Thaddeus Sayson and seven others who refused to be named.
Distrito said all of those who found positive were in good conditions and are mostly asymptomatic or with very mild symptoms.
He said they are all in isolation, even those who were found negative opted for a voluntary isolation.
"Upon arrival, all of them immediately went for a swab test and isolated themselves. Rest assured that all of them were fully vaccinated and they will comply with the protocol of seven-day isolation, but continue to work at home,” he added.
Those councilors who tested positive and those who were exposed attended their regular session virtually, Distrito noted.
On November 7, Benitez posted on his Facebook page that upon his arrival in Manila, he got tested before his supposed meeting with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
His result showed that he was positive for Covid-19, although the mayor noted that he only had mild symptoms.
Benitez, Gasataya, Distrito and Sayson traveled in Japan along with Councilors Al Victor Espino, Vladimir Gonzalez, Jason Villarosa, Claudio Puentevella, Celia Flor and Paoline Sy.
Also with them were former councilors Sonya Verdeflor and Bartolome Orola, former Negros Occidental Third District Board Member Patrick Lacson and 11 barangay captains.