Manny Pacquiao tests negative for coronavirus after contact with infected politician

Senator and eight-weight world champion is in quarantine after being pictured with Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimental

Manny Pacquiao says he has tested negative for coronavirus after the eight-weight boxing world champion and Philippines senator came into contact with a politician who had contracted the disease.

The 41-year-old, who holds the WBA welterweight world title, was recently pictured with senate president Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimental, who subsequently tested positive for Covid-19.

In a statement, Pacquiao said was already in quarantine and had used an unapproved rapid testing kit from South Korea to determine if he had been infected. However, he added that if he or his family exhibit any symptoms he will not hesitate to undergo swab testing.

“My countrymen, I would like to make it clear that even before I received the letter from [Dasmarinas Village, Makati] Barangay Captain Rossana Hwang, I already started home quarantine,” Pacquiao said.

“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 [Food and Drug Administration] hasn’t approved them yet but these are what’s used in Korea.​

“I’ve been encouraged a while back to get tested at RITM [Research Institute for Tropical Medicine], but I want to let it be known that I have not felt any symptoms.

“It’s an entirely different conversation when I’m feeling something strange in my body. I am willing to undergo swab testing for the sake of my family and my country, but I will go through the regular procedure.

“I believe that there are many more persons under investigation or PUI that should be prioritised in testing.”

The news comes after Pacquiao claimed he “was not afraid to die” to help those affected by the disease in the Philippines.

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

There have been 1,418 cases of coronavirus reported so far in the Philippines, with 71 casualties.