‘I have to recover first from COVID’

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

Atty. Rolex Tupas Suplico, former Congressman of the 5^th District of Iloilo (1998-2007) and former Iloilo Vice-Governor (2007-2010) today said that he has no political plans for 2022.

“My present plan is to recover fully, physically and emotionally, from the horrible aftereffects of COVID-19,” Suplico told Daily Guardian.

“I was running away from COVID-19, when it caught up with me. Last June 25, 2021, I tested positive for COVID-19,” he said, adding that he was hospitalized the following day, June 26, at The Medical City Iloilo.

“I stayed there until I was discharged on July 11, after I tested negative the day before. In total, I spent 16 nightmarish days in the hospital.”

Suplico said that his doctors described his symptoms as mild to moderate. He said that he is fully vaccinated with Sinovac.

However, in the process of dealing with COVID-19, he suffered from the extreme allergic reactions of his body.

“My eyes became fluffy and I thought they have popped out of my face,” he said.

The nurses stopped the IV fluid and, on his doctors’ orders, pumped antihistamines into his body.

“At one point, my antibiotics kept me awake for around a week. This made my eyes teary and irritated. After I complained, this particular medicine was given after breakfast instead of after dinner. My blood sugar tests likewise soared to a high of 346 due to the steroids, when a normal reading will be 180. And I suffered from depression, like most COVID-19 patients.”

Suplico said that apart from well-wishers, he was also flooded with calls regarding his political plans.

“During this time, politics visited. I received calls asking me to run for Mayor of Estancia, my adopted hometown, and for Iloilo Vice-Governor. I was told that performance as Vice-Governor from 2007-2010, was unmatched by anyone before and after my term. My name is now being mentioned as a possible candidate for Iloilo Vice-Governor.”

But for now, his focus is to fully recover from COVID, which he described as he never wish for somebody else to contract.

“I am now recuperating at home. I have COVID pneumonia, which doctors say comes with COVID-19. In my case, it brings excessive coughing. It decreased my oxygenation rate to 93%. I cannot talk without coughing. I cannot talk without affecting my oxygenation rate. My battle versus COVID-19 is not over yet,” Suplico said.

He said that had to issue a statement and, when allowed by his doctors and his family, he will call for a virtual press conference to discuss his political future.

“I wish to thank my doctors. They are the best doctors in Iloilo. I wish to thank my family, as they stood beside me in my darkest hour. I wish to thank Rep. Jam Baronda for her valuable help. I have to thank those who offered prayers for my speedy recovery. And I wish to thank God for keeping me alive,” Suplico said. He said that, as a COVID survivor, he is asking everyone to be vaccinated against COVID-19.