Malacañang assured the public that there is nothing to worry about the government’s Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine procurement following a recent controversy.
In a tweet, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. stated that 10 million doses of vaccine from Pfizer are sure to arrive in January until “somebody dropped the ball.”
“That said my thanks just the same to US Sec of State Mike Pompeo we—Babe Romualdez and I—got 10 million doses of Pfizer financed by World Bank and ADB to be shipped thru FEDEX to Clark in January. BUT SOMEBODY DROPPED THE BALL. I have steel ball bearings. I just need a slingshot.”
In a senate hearing Wednesday, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson asked Locsin about the identity of the individual alluded to in the tweet. However, the DFA Chief declined to answer, “I think, your honor, it’s enough that I lost my temper [on Twitter] because Babes and I really worked very hard and I don’t want to lose my temper again on Zoom.”
The Senator responded, “I understand, Mr. Secretary. I just had an exchange with Ambassador Babe Romualdez, and you don’t have to tell me, because I know now who dropped the ball.”
According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, there is no need to highlight the issue any further since from the start, the government has been doing its best to ensure that the Philippines will have enough and safe vaccine. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
