DOH denies allegations of "VIP treatment" for senators in COVID-19 testing

Photo: Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III/Francis Tolentino Facebook page

On Monday afternoon, the Department of Health released an announcement regarding the alleged "VIP treatment" for COVID-19 testing for people in the senate.

This was after netizens claimed that there was "special treatment" towards government officials and their kin who can supposedly acquire the limited test kits available in the country.

In the statement, it said that the people eligible to take the test were PUIs with mild symptoms who are elderly, with an underlying condition, immunocompromised and admitted PUIs in severe and critical condition.

"Further, the DOH assures the public that there is no policy for VIP treatment and that all specimens are being processed on a first-in, first-out basis. With courtesy accorded to officials holding positions of national security and public health." the statement of DOH reads.

Among the senators who took the COVID-19 test were Senator Tito Sotto and Senator Francis Tolentino.

Senator Sotto cleared that the testing kit he used was not accredited by DOH (Department of Health) and FDA (Food and Drug Administration).

"This testing kit is different from what the DOH is using right now. I know that a number of PUIs need the DOH-approved test kits more." said in his Facebook post.

He emphasized in his post that he never demanded to be prioritized and haven't received the results yet despite taking it on March 16, 2020.

"It's been a week now and to clarify this, I haven't received the results as I never asked to be prioritized" he added.

Senator Francis Tolentino also posted on Facebook regarding the issue, apologizing for taking the test.

"I apologize for undertaking the same as I was likewise exposed to the persons positive with COVID-19 whom my colleagues got in contact with during hearings" the post reads.

"Further, my colds and dry cough had persisted during my self-quarantine period, thus I took the test after my self cough medication appeared insufficient after four (4) days" it added.