MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte said he could be the first, or the last, to receive the vaccine against COVID-19, saying the poorest and uniformed personnel of the country will be prioritized once it is developed.
“Kung gusto ninyo, ako ang mauna para magkaroon kayo ng kumpiyansa, or I can be the last Filipino to get. Unahin kayo lahat, pahuli kami,” Duterte said in a public address aired Tuesday.
(If you want I can be first so you can be confident or I can be the last Filipino to get. All of you will be first, we’ll be the last.)
Previously, Duterte volunteered to receive the first injection of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Russia to show the public that it is safe for humans.
Duterte reiterated that the poorest families who receive cash aid from the government will get priority in the COVID-19 vaccine along with the military and police.
“Pero mauna sa lahat ang mga military pati pulis kasi kung walang pulis at military, babagsak tayo. Sino mag-guwardiya sa atin?” he said.
(But among all, the military and police will be first because without them, we will fall. Who will guard us?)
The President also expressed confidence that a vaccine against COVID-19 will be soon developed by either Russia or China which already vowed its willingness to help the country.
“Kung may bayad o hindi, hindi masyado klaro but kung may bayad dahil marami masyado, e di utangin natin, credit na lang. Or maghanap tayo ng loan but if it’s not… I’m sure they’re willing to give us that privilege of borrowing from them,” Duterte further said.
(Whether we have to pay or not, it was not clear but if we have to pay, we will borrow, put it on credit. We can also find loans but if it’s not… I’m sure they’re willing to give us that privilege of borrowing from them.)
Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev earlier said Russia is ready to supply the country with COVID-19 vaccines, assured its trials were “promising, effective and safe.”
China has also vowed to prioritize the Philippines once it develops a vaccine for the coronavirus.