Price, efficacy are Senate’s main concern, not brand

MANILA, Philippines — Senators were unfazed by President Duterte’s tirades against their inquiry into the administration’s mass anti-COVID-19 vaccination program, saying it’s not politicking to question the pricing of vaccines and the government’s apparent preference for the ones made in China.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said senators have not openly expressed preference for any particular brand even as he stressed the inquiry was meant to seek answers to questions of Filipinos regarding the efficacy and prices of the administration’s choice of vaccines to purchase using taxpayers’ money.

“I knew he (Duterte) was being given the wrong information. We do not favor any vaccine,” Sotto told reporters in a text message.

On Duterte’s offer to order Pfizer vaccines for senators, Sotto said: “Thanks but no thanks!”

“I wonder what gave him the idea that the senators favor Pfizer?” he added.

Sotto recalled asking Sen. Bong Go during session on Monday afternoon if the President was informed about what has been transpiring at the hearings of the Senate committee of the whole. Go reportedly replied in the affirmative.

He stressed the hearing of the specially-convened panel on Friday will push through even if Duterte had told vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. not to mind the inquiry.

“I don’t think the public will favor the idea of government not disclosing their actions re road map of the vaccination program,” Sotto said, even as he pointed out that the government would borrow P70 billion for the vaccines, the payment for which would eventually be shouldered by the people.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan warned that snubbing the hearing following Duterte’s advice would backfire on Malacañang. “If they have nothing to hide then they should attend the hearing,” Pangilinan said.

Sen. Joel Villanueva said every time the chamber expresses its opinion on the vaccination program, it is actually trying to help the executive branch.

“We’re allies, not enemies. If and when we’re able to correct what we see are shortcomings in the plan, it’s our countrymen who win here,” Villanueva said, stressing that science must be the basis of the government’s decision in selecting which vaccine to approve for use.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the Senate was exercising its oversight powers in conducting the inquiry, especially that the chamber has passed some important laws – including the P4.5-trillion national budget for 2021 – to deal with the pandemic, particularly through funding.

“I haven’t heard of any senator who has expressed preference for the Pfizer vaccine or any brand for that matter,” Lacson said. “There are no personal or political agenda involved in our inquiry as insinuated by Secretary Galvez earlier.” – Cecille Suerte Felipe