The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) believes that the government must be transparent in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine procurement.
Following the statement of Vaccine Czar Carlito Galvez where he pointed out that the price of the procurement of Sinovac vaccine cannot be disclosed, IBP National President Domingo Cayosa stated that “transparency is helpful in establishing facts, dispelling doubts and suspicions, countering propaganda, minimizing political posturing, curbing corruption, promoting accountability, nurturing cooperation, and in enhancing trust in our country’s governance.”
He added that the Constitution clearly states the policy of full public disclosure for all transactions involving public interest and acknowledge the people’s right to information.
The public must know more about the COVID-19 vaccines, the decisions made by the government for the public and the funds allotted for the vaccine procurement. – Report from Kenneth Paciente
