STATEMENT OF SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS ON STAFF TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID-19

Atty. Jaye dela Cruz Bekema is my chief legislative officer. We all celebrated with her when she announced to us that she was pregnant and would be able to avail of the 105 day expanded maternity leave we worked on together.

I was very sad when she informed me on 25 April that she had lost her baby at 18 weeks; and sad again and shocked when she notified us 5 days after that she had tested positive for COVID-19. She has been under self-quarantine since the start of the ECQ and has not been to the Senate since March 9. She is complying with all DOH guidelines on home-based COVID management.

Rest assured, our office is doing all that we can to support her and to attend to her needs. We would also like to ask for your prayers for Atty. Jaye during this difficult time.