Sotto sees no violation of law in getting vaccines, vitamins not FDA-approved

Senate President Vicente Sotto III. Filw photo / Alex Nueva España of Senate PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Monday said he sees no violation of any law if people take vitamins or get inoculated by vaccines that are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

He issued the remark in light of reports that Senator Panfilo Lacson and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez were allegedly administered a vaccine against COVID-19.

“Wala akong nakikitang violation. Like for example, let’s say gusto ko barilin ’yung binti ko, makukulong ba ako? Mayroon ba akong viniolate kung binaril ko yung binti ko kung lisensyado ‘yung baril ko?” he told reporters in an online interview.

(I don’t see any violation. Like for example, let’s say I want to shoot myself in the leg, will I be jailed? Did I violate a law if I shot my leg if my gun is licensed?)

“I don’t see any violation,” he added.

He added that it is the prerogative of the public if they want to get inoculated even if the vaccine is not yet approved by the FDA in the country.

“To each his own. Maraming mga gamot, vitamins, maraming mga enhancers na nandyan nakakalat, na sinasabi ng DOH, FDA na ‘wag gagamitin pero ginagamit pa rin ng mga kababayan natin ‘yung iba,” the Senate leader said.

(To each his own. There are many medicines, vitamins, enhancers that are not approved by DOH, FDA, but are still used by the public.)

The DOH has reminded the public that no vaccine against COVID-19 has been approved yet.

“Sa ngayon, hanggang wala pa tayong registered na vaccine sa FDA, dapat maging maingat ang ating mga kababayan,” she added.

(Right now, until we have no registered vaccines yet from the FDA, we should be careful.)

JPV