The Department of Health (DOH) clarified that vaccine manufacturers in the United States of America did not impose any conditions for the Philippines to have access to their COVID-19 vaccines.
The statement was issued after Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque opined the granting of absolute pardon by President Rodrigo Duterte to Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton might help the Philippines in acquiring a US-developed vaccines.
The DOH also explained that all vaccines undergo regulatory process in the country.
“We have had discussions already with manufacturers from the US. No conditions provided or given para sa atin (for us),” DOH USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire said.
“Lahat naman ng ‘yan, dadaan sa regulatory process natin so hindi po tayo naka-receive ng kahit anong condition na ganito (All of them undergo regulatory process so we do not receive any condition) based from the discussions we have had from different manufacturers or the manufacturer from us,” Vergeire added.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) refused to react on the issue, saying that President Rodrigo Duterte has already explained the reason behind his decision.
“I cannot speculate on the President’s motives. He has explained his reason for granting pardon to Mr. Pemberon. For me that’s the end of the story. Let’s move on,” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra stated.
– PTV News
