Rossana Hwang – Syndication Server

Manny Pacquiao demands probe into leak of quarantine letter

Manny Pacquiao, saying his privacy was violated, has demanded an investigation into how his family’s move into quarantine went public.

Manny Pacquiao has another fight, one he wasn’t seeking.

Pacquiao, who jumped into the fight against coronavirus by supporting Filipino medical personnel, is angry that his family’s move into quarantine has become public.

Pacquiao, a Filipino Senator, is demanding an investigation. He says his right to privacy was violated by a news leak of a letter urging the welterweight champion to go into self-quarantine after meeting with a political colleague who tested positive for the virus.

“In this regard, I wish to know how this private letter addressed to me went around social media with total disregard for my right to privacy,’’ Pacquiao said in a statement to The Philippine Daily Inquirer. “Meantime, I will refer this matter to the appropriate agency for proper investigation to avoid the same incident from happening.’’

Pacquiao hosted a dinner for members of his political party. One of the attendees was Senator Aquilino Pimentel III. The dinner happened on March 4. A few days later, Pimentel said he was suffering from coronavirus symptoms.

Pacquiao announced a couple of days ago that he had tested negative. At about the same time, a letter asking Pacquiao and his family to go into quarantine, appeared on social media.

“For your own family and household’s safety, please have yourself self-quarantined, STAY HOME. No one including any of your household can come out,” according to a letter from a local official, Rossana Hwang, who said the recommendation was based on advice from a physician attached to a local health department.

Hwang said she had video of the dinner.

“Let me also emphasize that it was not ‘partying’ as stated in your letter,’’ Pacquiao said to Hwang in a statement. “It was a political meeting. The word ‘partying’ casts me as someone insensitive to the current crisis of the nation.”

Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) last fought on July 7, scoring a split decision over Keith Thurman for a 147-pound belt. He had hoped to be back in the ring this July, although it’s not clear whether boxing will return by then because of the ongoing pandemic.

Manny Pacquiao says he has tested negative for coronavirus

Manny Pacquiao says he has test negative for coronavirus using a rapid test kit from South Korea.

Manny Pacquiao said he has tested negative for coronavirus, according to CBSSports.com.

Pacquiao, who is in quarantine with his family after coming into contact with a colleague who tested positive for the virus, said he used a rapid testing kit from South Korea.

He would take a swab test if he shows symptoms. He has shown no signs of illness.

The 41-year-old boxer and senator in the Philippines was instructed via an official letter Saturday to place himself and his family in quarantine after he was seen in a photo with Senate President Aquilino Pimentel, who later was diagnosed with the virus.

“My countrymen, I would like to make it clear that even before I received the letter from [Barangay Captain Rossana Hwang], I already started home quarantine,” Pacquiao said in a formal statement. “Please don’t worry. I received rapid testing kits from my friends from South Korea. Using these kits approved in Korea, I tested negative. The FDA hasn’t approved them yet, but these are what’s used in Korea.”

Pacquiao said last week that he was buying testing kits and face masks in the fight against the pandemic. He also has donated buses to transport medical personnel to where they are needed in Manila

He told The Manila Bulletin he will work with his fellow citizens where ever he has to, even if it puts him at risk of infection.

He added that he was “not afraid to die.” He said it was his duty to help fellow Filipinos.

‘If you are a leader, you have to be a front-liner,’’ Pacquiao said. “You have to lead people and let people see that you are with them. I grew up poor. I know what they feel.”

According the The Bulletin, Pacquiao has helped pay for testing devices and surgical masks. He said he was waiting on a shipment 50,000 more testing kits from China.

As of Sunday, the Philippines has reported that 1,418 people have been diagnosed with coronavirus. Seventy-one people have died.

Manny Pacquiao on front lines fighting coronavirus in Philippines

Manny Pacquiao and his family in quarantine in Philippines

Manny Pacquiao and his family have been instructed to go into quarantine after the boxer had contact with a politician with coronavirus.

Manny Pacquiao and his family are in quarantine.

The Pacquiaos were instructed to isolate themselves after the boxer came in contact with a fellow senator who tested positive for coronavirus, according to the Filipino website ABS.CBN.com.

Pacquiao was seen in a photo with Senate President Aquilino Pimentel, who later was diagnosed with the virus. As a result, health authorities in his Manila neighborhood made its recommendation.

“Many of your colleagues in Senate have been identified to be COVID positive. Therefore you have to be quarantined at your own house,” Dasmariñas Village Barangay Captain Rossana Hwang said in an official letter.

“… This was the recommendation of doctors from Makati Medical Center who is (sic) also a resident here. And recommended by Makati Health Department. Please be a model example.”

A Pacquiao representative issued a statement to ABS.CBN.com saying, “Sen. Manny says he will always follow the law.” The representative added that Pacquiao and has family had already been in quarantine before receiving the letter.

Pacquiao said last week that he was buying testing kits and face masks in the fight against the pandemic. He also has donated buses to transport medical personnel to where they are needed in Manila

He told The Manila Bulletin he will work with his fellow citizens where ever he has to, even if it puts him at risk of infection.

He told The Bulletin that he was “not afraid to die.” He said it was his duty to help fellow Filipinos.

‘If you are a leader, you have to be a front-liner,’’ Pacquiao said. “You have to lead people and let people see that you are with them. I grew up poor. I know what they feel.”

According the The Bulletin, Pacquiao has helped pay for testing devices and surgical masks. He said he was waiting on a shipment 50,000 more testing kits from China.

As of Saturday, the Philippines has reported that 1,075 people have been diagnosed with coronavirus. Sixty-eight people have died.