House Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman and his wife, Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin Hataman, have both recovered from COVID-19.

The Basilan congressman announced their recovery on Facebook on Wednesday, August 12. He posted a photo of him and Mayor Hataman wearing N95 masks.

“Maraming salamat sa inyong mga dasal. Ako at ang aking maybahay na si Mayor Dadah ay magaling na, maganda na ang pakiramdam, at wala na ang kahit na anong sintomas ng virus,” said Representative Hataman.

(Thank you for all your prayers. My wife, Mayor Dadah, and I have recovered, we feel better, and we no longer have any symptoms of the virus.)

The couple already tested negative for COVID-19 and have been released from quarantine.

The COVID-19 tests of their children and members of their household likewise yielded negative results. 

The Hatamans had themselves swabbed for COVID-19 after experiencing what they initially thought as “common cough” on July 20. The couple tested positive for COVID-19 on August 1. 

On Wednesday, Representative Hataman thanked the doctors and nurses who took care of him and his wife, as well as their constituents who prayed for their recovery. 

He also encouraged those who have been infected with the virus to come forward so they could immediately receive the medical assistance they need.

The Basilan congressman then condemned the discrimination experienced by COVID-19 patients. 

“We also denounce the unfair treatment or discrimination some people are giving those who are unfortunate enough to contract this disease. Bilang isa sa mga tinamaan ng sakit na dulot ng COVID-19, ang masasabi ko lang sa inyo ay hindi biro ang virus na ito (As one of those hit by COVID-19, all I can say is that this virus is no joke),” Representative Hataman said. 

“Walang lugar ang diskriminasyon sa ating lipunan, lalo na sa sitwasyon natin ngayong pandemya (There is no place for discrimination in our society, especially during situations like this pandemic). In this time of crisis, we should show compassion, and all the more that we need to be one in fighting this virus,” he added. 

Another ranking congressman, Deputy Speaker Johnny Pimentel, tested positive for COVID-19 on July 27. Pimentel told Rappler on Wednesday that he was no longer experiencing symptoms and expected the results of his swab test on Thursday, August 13. 

The disease, however, claimed the life of 71-year-old Senior Citizens Representative Francisco Datol Jr,. Datol is the first Filipino lawmaker to die of COVID-19.

To date, the Philippines has tallied 143,749 cases of COVID-19 with 2,404 deaths and 68,997 recoveries. – Rappler.com