![“Panimula pa lang naman po ito because they had a very limited period of time given to them by the President, [which was] 30 days,” Roque said Tuesday. “Magpapatuloy pa po ang imbestigasyon ng DOJ at ng Ombudsman.”/PN](https://www.panaynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/says-Palace-spokesman-Harry-Roque-696x464.jpg "Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. is glad to announce du")
MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has already appointed a “vaccine czar” even before Sen. Ralph Recto made such recommendation as the country prepares to acquire a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte already designated a person two months ago, but they declined to be identified until the chief executive makes an announcement.
“The suggestion is very well-taken. In fact, two months ago, I recall na si Presidente ay may itinalagang vaccine czar,” Roque said in a virtual press conference on Monday.
“Kaya nga lang po, iyong natalagang vaccine czar is hesitant when I asked him if I could remind the public that he has been designated as vaccine czar kasi baka hindi na raw po naalala ni Presidente. So he would like to wait for the President to make the announcement anew,” he added.
Over the weekend, Recto called on Malacañang to appoint a vaccine czar who could solve the “importation to injection” challenges of getting the COVID-19 vaccine to around 110 million Filipinos.
Roque also noted that the Philippine ambassadors to countries that are developing vaccines are “proactive in ensuring and negotiating with the companies that we will have a just share of the vaccines once developed.”/PN
