Palace wishes Moreno’s recovery from COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday wished Manila Mayor Isko Moreno’s speedy recovery from COVID-19.

“We wish Mayor Isko Moreno good health and we hope he gets well soon,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said at a press briefing.

Moreno, who is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, said on Sunday he tested positive for the disease.

Roque stressed that all COVID-19 vaccines are effective in preventing severe COVID-19 and death.

“Experts don’t really say that vaccines are a guarantee that we won’t get COVID. According to experts, all of our vaccines are effective in preventing serious illness or death due to COVID-19,” Roque said.

“So that is Mayor Yorme’s experience now. I think his hospitalization is a precaution. But I think maybe his case will be moderate and he will not be critical because he has been vaccinated,” Roque added.

Last week, President Duterte warned he would remove the power to distribute cash aid from a local government unit in Metro Manila, supposedly due to its mayor’s inability to organize.

Duterte also slammed the past risque photos of a local executive, whom many believe was Moreno, one of the potential presidential candidates in 2022.

Malacañang, however, denied that the President was alluding to Moreno, who was an actor before he entered politics.

Mild case

In a medical bulletin yesterday, Sta. Ana Hospital director Dr. Grace Padilla said their “clinical impression” is that the mayor “has a mild COVID disease. Presently, he is maintained on oral antibiotics and vitamins as supplements. He is stable, comfortable and sleeping well.”

She said Moreno, after testing positive for COVID-19, was admitted to the hospital on Sunday night with “mild colds, coughs and body malaise as presenting symptoms. He has no fever.”

Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, who also contracted COVID-19, is recovering after being admitted last week, according to Padilla.

The city government’s public information office has yet to reveal how many people who were Moreno’s close contacts will undergo swab testing and quarantine.

The city hall, especially Moreno’s office, was disinfected on Sunday night.

Moreno said the city government will continue its operations and efforts against the pandemic.