No surprises

Well, no surprises there. President Duterte has just ordered the Presidential Security Group (PSG) to shut up on the issue of the unauthorized, illegal, obviously-smuggled Chinese vaccines they used on themselves. Duterte's reasoning was and I quote, "To me it's a matter of self-preservation. Whatever be your objection, whatever be your criticism, para sa akin, it is a matter of preservation." The military has likewise halted its planned probe of the PSG's unauthorized use of the said vaccines. Duterte has likewise ordered PSG chief Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III to disobey whatever summons Congress calls for in their planned investigation of the issue. He also asks Congress "not to tinker with the PSG" over the vaccine controversy.

So the military would rather break laws like smuggling and the illegal use of an unauthorized vaccine than disobey the commander-in-chief, in this case, President Duterte. In different times, a court-martial would probably have taken place. But we live in different times where the word of an almighty demands obedience. Indeed, I cannot think of any other president, perhaps maybe Marcos, who can say and command anything followed by blind obedience. Some senators have already tucked their tails between their legs after bold pronouncements. Only a handful of opposition politicians are still pushing for an investigation. Where that leads is anyone's guess.

I wonder where this leaves the DOJ, the NBI, and the FDA? DOJ Sec. Menardo Guevarra has made so many statements regarding the criminal liability of those who brought in and administered the unauthorized vaccine but absolves liability on those who willingly received it. He says that "although vaccination is a matter of personal survival, it is important that laws on vaccine approval and administration be strictly observed for the benefit of everyone.” Right. Then there is this - “Persons who knowingly or willfully administer an unregistered vaccine may be held liable under the Medical Practice Act of 1959,” with fines and imprisonment awaiting them. Really? Does that mean whoever administered the vaccine to the PSG soldiers, a fact proudly made by Brig. Gen. Durante, is criminally liable under the law? Or does Duterte's order to the PSG to shut up stop everything? How about the bold statements of the FDA regarding this issue. Will all of them start coming up with compromising statements just to please their almighty? Most likely so. Like I said, a different time.

Then there is the revelation by Teresita Ang See that some 100,000 Chinese POGO operators have already been inoculated last December. The source of the vaccine is apparently the same as that of the PSG. But her vacillating statements about these Chinese getting inoculated is good because it also protects us but the entry and use break several laws like smuggling and there is nothing that can be done about it even saying to just let it be is amusing. We should throw all existing laws out the window with regards to a COVID-19 vaccine because obviously, they are not being followed nor enforced.