Although Malacañang welcomes the announcement of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the creation of the first COVID-19 vaccine, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said it must still undergo thorough review and proper process to ensure its safety.
“The Palace welcomes Russia’s gesture of considering the Philippines in developing and producing safe and accessible COVID-19 vaccines… As we have said, the Philippines is ready to work with Russia, on clinical trials, vaccine supply and production, among others, subject to our existing laws and local processes,” Roque stated.
Roque also relayed President Duterte’s instruction that the vaccine undergo evaluation in the country.
“He [President Duterte] is grateful doon sa offer ng Russia. Pero sinabi rin niya na kinakailangan din nating sundin ang batas na umiiral sa Pilipinas dahil nga po walang gamot na pwedeng ibigay sa publiko na hindi dumadaan sa FDA (President Duterte is grateful about the offer of Russia but he also said that existing laws in the Philippines must be followed since no medicine can be used by the public without undergoing FDA evaluation),” Roque clarified during his press briefing on Tuesday.
“Ang FDA naman po ay hindi mag-i-isyu ng permit to utilize sa isang gamot kung wala po iyong clinical trial. So dadaan din po iyan sa proseso natin iyan (the FDA does not issue any permit to utilize a medicine if it does not undergo clinical trial. So it will undergo through our process),” Roque added.
Meanwhile, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo in a separate statement countered claims that the government is merely relying on vaccines and not resorting to other measures to address the crisis.
“Magpasalamat tayo at mayroon ng bakuna. Hindi naman po totoo ‘yung sinasabi ng mga kritiko na ang Presidente umaasa na lang sa bakuna at hindi na inaasikaso yung problema sa pandemiya. Ano bang hindi inaasikaso eh ‘yun na nga lang ang ginagawa ni Presidente (We should be thankful that there is a vaccine. Critics’ claim that we are only depending on vaccines and are not doing anything is not true. What else is not taken care of if that’s all what the President does.)” Panelo pointed out. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
