MANILA – To prevent possible corruption, President Rodrigo Duterte prefers a government-to-government transaction for China’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine once it becomes available.
In his address to the public on Tuesday, Duterte said dealing with private entities for the government’s procurement of COVID-19 vaccine is open to corruption.
“Ayaw ko ‘yung bibili tayo sa private Chinese businessmen. Diyan magkakalokohan,” Duterte said. “Hindi kami manghihingi, we will pay. Sana government-to-government ang transaction, walang corruption.”
The government has initially allotted P2.5 billion for the procurement of coronavirus vaccines, but the Department of Health said the amount is short of at least P10.5 billion.
“I am confident that the Chinese government will come to the aid for COVID-19 vaccine,” Duterte said. “I believe in Chinese expertise and knowledge. Hindi ako nagkamali, meron na sila.”
“I had a meeting with the [Chinese] ambassador [to the Philippines]. He said the vaccine is there. It is a matter of kung paano i-distribute, and what kind of transaction it would be for them and for us,” he added.
So far, only China’s Sinovac vaccine has cleared the scrutiny of the Philippines’ Vaccine Experts Panel. The vaccine, however, is still subject for approval of the Ethics Board before obtaining a Food and Drug Administration clearance for clinical trials./PN
