Duterte challenges Robredo to be first in line for China’s COVID-19 Vaccine
- President Rodrigo Duterte dared Vice President Robredo to be inoculated with Sinovac vaccine
- “She’s young, I am not. I have to defer to my doctor,” says PRRD
- Duterte also lamented attempts by some sectors to dramatize the situation
- The President asked for a personal supply of a particular vaccine but it was out of stock
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President Rodrigo Roa Duterte dared Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday to be the first in line to be inoculated with Sinovac Biotech’s COVID-19 vaccine. PRRD said Robredo is more qualified for the vaccine as she is still young.
Source: Getty Images
The President issued the dare after Robredo earlier made a similar call for him to be inoculated first in order to boost the confidence of Filipinos in the vaccine.
PRRD explained that he is still waiting for a clearance from his doctor as to the brand of vaccine he should get.
During a press conference following the recent turnover of Sinovac vaccines, Duterte cited Robredo’s alleged impatience as regards the vaccines.
He said that since Robredo appeared very eager with vaccinations, she should be the first to get the vaccine, adding that she's still young and the Sinovac vaccine is appropriate for her. As for him, PRRD said that he has to wait for his doctor's advice.
PRRD also lamented the apparent attempt to dramatize as to who should be inoculated first, adding that he wanted to do it immediately but he has to wait for his doctor’s advice.
The VP’s spokesman, Barry Gutierrez, earlier said that Robredo is willing to undergo vaccination in public so Filipinos would be encouraged to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
The President, on the other hand, explained that he has reasons to be cautious with the type of vaccine he should get because he is already old. Sinovac Biotech’s vaccine is recommended only for individuals who are 18 to 59 years old and deemed clinically healthy. PRRD will be 77 years old next month.
Duterte revealed he is waiting for the arrival of another brand of vaccine, though he did not disclose its name. He also asked to be given a personal supply of this vaccine brand.
“Ako naghingi ako, personal. Wala silang stock. Nanghingi ako para sa pamilya ko pati sa ‘kin. I do not know if we would have enough vaccines for everybody, but I think I can accommodate itong Cabinet members,” Duterte said.
Earlier, Malacañang said that PRRD preferred to be inoculated with vaccines made by Sinopharm.
The Chinese pharmaceutical company, however, has yet to file an application with the Philippines’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use authorization.
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Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the 16th President of the Republic of the Philippines, and also known as Digong or Rody, was born on March 28, 1945.
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Earlier, former VP Jejomar Binay reacted to the proposal to trade Philippine nurses in exchange for vaccines from Britain and Germany, calling the proposal as "dehumanizing." This was the proposal made by the Labor department considering that many nurses are needed abroad.
President Rodrigo Duterte is most likely to approve the recommendation of putting the whole country under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ). The President may decide on it today, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque disclosed.
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