NEWS | COVID-19 vaccine controversies, made prominent by PH gov’t
By Ysabel Marie S. Vidor
As the world seeks to eradicate a global health crisis that imperilled human lives and disrupted economies, the heads of different states draw their attention to the immunization of the population. On the onset of the lockdown, the pandemic unveiled the flaws in governance especially in the Philippines, the nation in Southeast Asia considered to have been hardest hit by the outbreak. From the failure of the government to prioritize mass testing, misallocation of healthcare funds, the Philippines is facing yet another issue as military personnel were immunized using a vaccine that has yet to be authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Unauthorized immunization
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo declared that the Presidential Security Guards (PSG) were already inoculated last December. Brigadier General Jesus Durante, the head of Duterte’s security, also disclosed that several military personnel were immunized from an unknown vaccine from China last September justifying it by arguing that they are obligated to ensure the security and protection of the highest official of the nation.
Durante chose not to disclose how the vaccine was acquired. However, the President’s office stated that the Sinopharm vaccine was a gift from China, despite foregoing permission from the FDA.
Moreover, Duterte claimed he is unaware of the exact details of the PSG’s immunization program, since it was done within their own volition. Despite the President’s claims, Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejano revealed during the interview that it was regulated by the authorities in the AFP or in Malacañang.
National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana admitted that the vaccines were indeed smuggled, but he still believes breaking the law is justified for this matter.
Similarly, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque ignored allegations of the unauthorized immunization of 100,000 Chinese laborers working in the Philippines. However, Kaisa Founding Chair Teresita Ang-See confirmed that workers from Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs were indeed immunized. Roque, then, came in defense that the immunization is valid as it reduces the possibility of increased COVID-19 cases regardless if it has yet to be permitted.
Investigation, stopped by the President
Vice President Leni Robredo aired her concern regarding the issue and emphasized the importance of conducting an investigation regarding the smuggled vaccines.
“Dapat maimbestigahan kasi ‘yun ‘yung mensahe din na hindi natin papalampasin. Kasi kung papalampasin lang, parang ine-encourage ‘yung tao na gumawa ng mali kasi parang walang nangyayari, parang walang sanctions,” Robredo highlighted.
Last December, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) revealed that they were uninformed of the vaccines given to the PSG and military personnel. If proven smuggled, BOC reassures that government officials may be prosecuted.
Duterte recently ordered to cease the investigation on the smuggled vaccines and disallowed the PSG from participating in the probing of the congress. The AFP, despite the need to claim criminal accountability on the issue, dropped the investigation.
Even during his first few months as president, Duterte persistently disallowed any kinds of investigation to be done by his uniformed personnel. For instance, the PNP is prohibited from disclosing documents and other information in the infamous extrajudicial killings from his anti-narcotics crackdown.
Gov’t efforts in acquisition
Senator Panfilo Lacson tweeted a cryptic message concerning the acquisition of vaccines from other foreign countries, explaining how the Philippines was unable to secure the 10 million vaccines due to the negligence of the Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francis Duque. He confirmed that the opportunity went to Singapore instead as the transaction was deferred as Duque failed to submit the confidentiality agreement.
While the state claims that the PH is all set with the acquisition and granting of the COVID-19 vaccine, VP Robredo believes otherwise. Robredo then suggested that a list should be made to ensure that preparations are conducted as the vaccines will come in batches and not all at the same time.
“Sinasabi nila, I think si Secretary Roque, ‘yung nagsabi nakahanda na lahat pero sa mga briefings kasi sa amin ang sabi sa amin hindi pa, so hindi natin alam, hindi natin alam exactly kung ano ‘yung preparations tungkol doon,” Robredo revealed. “Sino ang uunahin? Para sana kung dumating, hindi na tayo mag-waste ng time mag-decide kung para kanino ‘yon kasi lahat na nakaabang. ‘Yun yung isa kong, isa sa aking recommendations,”
Who gets the vaccine?
Local government units have allocated a budget to subsidize the vaccines for the majority, if not all, of the citizens in order to attain herd immunity. Makati Mayor Abby Binay accentuated the city’s premium on giving vaccine shots on each of its citizens with its P1 billion budget, while Manila Mayor Isko Moreno announced that P250 million was allotted to inoculate 1.1 million Manileños. Primarily, health workers or frontliners, immunocompromised individuals, and senior citizens shall be immunized.
Despite recommendations made by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as numerous health experts and organizations, Duterte revealed that he does not seek to prioritize health workers who have tirelessly worked to combat the pandemic to obtain vaccine shots. Instead, he targets to primarily vaccinate his uniformed personnel.
“I want my soldiers, including the other security forces of the country, to be part of the first batch because soldiers and police officers need to be ready, healthy, and without COVID. They are really vital to the security of the state. We civilians can be last,” Duterte said.
In December, Duterte added that healthcare workers and indigents will also be prioritized in the inoculation, while members of the New People’s Army (NPA) shall also be given vaccine shots.
“The vaccine is available to every Filipino citizen, including the Communist NPAs so that you can fight better and you are healthy because I know that you will die,” he mockingly stated. However, even with the granting of immunization, Duterte rejects ceasefire with the NPA preventing peaceful negotiations to take place.
Amidst insufficiencies, Robredo assures that she will look into the details of the vaccine procurement for a swift process. Rodredo added that she still ought to have the smuggled vaccines investigated and calls for the President to be accountable and transparent.
“Sana walang panlilinlang na gawin sa tao. Sana maging very transparent kasi ayaw nating magduda ang tao,” Robredo said. “Kung iyong mga pinakamalalapit sa Presidente, iyon pa iyong nag-violate ng mga existing protocols, ng mga batas, eh hindi ito nakakatulong.”
