Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 25) — The Department of the Interior and Local Government said it is now verifying reports that two more government officials received COVID-19 vaccine despite not being part of the priority list.
During the Laging Handa briefing, DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing said he received information early Thursday that a Parañaque councilor and an employee of the Department of Justice got vaccinated. He did not name them.
“Nagiging kaduda-duda tuloy, either nagpalakasan or nagkabayaran,” he said.
[Translation: This is becoming questionable, either they used influence, or someone was paid.]
The government has a priority list for its vaccination program, which places healthcare workers at the top because of the high risk they face every day amid the fight against the coronavirus. Vaccine donations, specifically those from the COVAX initiative co-led by World Health Organization, also require strict adherence to prioritization among its beneficiaries.
Densing said WHO country representative Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe already cautioned the government against breaches of protocols, warning that the Philippines might not be prioritized in succeeding COVAX supply if that happens.
Since the start of the country’s immunization program, however, several public officials have violated such protocols. Among them are nine mayors, of whom five have already been issued show cause order.
Another case involving actor Mark Anthony Fernandez is also being investigated. Densing said a show cause order will be soon issued to Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez, who defended the immunization, saying the actor has comorbidity and was part of the quick substitution list.
Once the officials receive the order, they are given three working days to respond. That will be followed by an investigation to verify their claims, Densing explained.
In his late-night address, President Rodrigo Duterte said it is difficult to say whether the mayors should be held liable for skipping the line after some of them said they did it to improve vaccine the confidence of their constituents.
For now, Densing said administrative cases will be filed before the Office of the Ombudsman against those proven to have violated the protocols. They might face penalties ranging from a 30-day suspension to being kicked out of office, he added.
