Malacañang is apprehensive that President Rodrigo Duterte would participate in the proposed vaccine infomercial with Vice President Leni Robredo.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque told Dobol B TV on Friday said such an infomercial could happen if VP Leni would admit that China’s Sinovac COVID-19 is as effective as other vaccine brands.
“Kasi ang alam ko po sa unang panahon ay kinuwestyon pa nga ni VP Leni ang paggamit ng Chinese vaccines. So parang I cannot see na ie-enderso niya na pare-pareho [ang vaccines],” Roque said.
(At the start of the vaccine rollout, VP Leni questioned the use of Chinese vaccines. So I cannot see how she will promote that all these vaccines are safe and effective.)
“Sana po kung masasabi niya at ‘yan ay matuloy pero alam niyo po ginawa talagang politika pati itong bakuna. Kaya nga po sinabi nila itong Chinese (vaccine) ginagamit natin kapalit ng [West Philippine Sea.]”
(If she can say that then that infomercial is possible, but they played politics in our vaccine rollout. They said we are using Chinese vaccines in exchange for the WPS.)
Palace apprehensive on proposed Robredo-Duterte vaccine infomercial
The Palace official claimed that between the President and the Vice President, only Duterte has urged the public to accept any available COVID-19 vaccine brand.
“So sa akin po, sana po masabi mismo ni vice president ‘yon. Simulan po natin don at kung masasabi niya na pantay-pantay ang mga bakuna at isasantabi niya ang politika ay pag-aaralan natin ‘yan, bakit naman hindi. Pero ang tanong ay masasabi niya ba yon?” Roque said of the proposal.
(If the Vice President can say that all vaccines are effective then we can start from there. Also, if she could set aside politics then we can consider that suggestion. Why not? But still, the question is can she say that all these vaccines are equally safe and effective?)
According to the President, all COVID-19 vaccines are effective, and he does not want to have an issue that he is favoring any vaccine brand.
“They are all potent. They are all effective. So wala — there’s no reason for you really to be choosy about it. The only reason is ayaw kong magkaroon ng — magkaroon ng ano ‘yong istorya na may pinapaboran kami na itong ito. Wala,” said Duterte.
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