Drilon hints of ‘cover-up’ in ‘illegal’ use of unauthorized COVID-19 vaccine
MANILA, Philippines — Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Wednesday flagged an alleged attempt to cover up the details of the “illegal” inoculation of some members of the Cabinet, the Presidential Security Group (PSG), and the military against COVID-19 even as regulators have yet to authorize the use of a vaccine against the coronavirus disease in the country.
“Nagkakabuhul-buhol na sila sa kakapalusot. They are lying through their teeth in a bid protect those who are principally involved in the illegal shipment of the unauthorized vaccines in the country,” Drilon said in a statement.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier said it would probe the controversial vaccination of some government officials, presidential guards, and soldiers.
While it has yet to be confirmed what vaccine brand was given, President Rodrigo Duterte said in a speech over the weekend that many Filipinos have already received the COVID-19 vaccine developed by China’s Sinopharm.
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) will also investigate to see how supplies of the said vaccine got past inspectors at the country’s borders.
But the Senate minority leader believes that there is no way unauthorized vaccines could have entered the country without clearance from the BOC.
“They cannot hide the truth. The truth will come out and we will find their fingerprints all over it,” he said.
“Those who caused the illegal importation and administration of the unauthorized vaccine must be held responsible. Otherwise, the environment of impunity is enhanced,” Drilon, a former Justice secretary, added.
In an earlier television interview PSG chief Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III refused to disclose the number of PSG personnel who were given the vaccine but said a “handful” was inoculated.
He added that it was the PSG members themselves who administered the vaccine.
“We’ve done our research. For now, we’ve found the appropriate vaccine for us, which I could say is a traditional vaccine, so we took the risk,” Durante said.
Despite fierce criticisms from lawmakers and several groups, Malacañang said there was no violation of the anti-graft law when the PSG received the vaccines because these were only “tokens” and no public funds were used for it.
Neither Malacañang nor the PSG, however, disclosed where the vaccines came from but said that these were “donated.”
The Palace defended the early inoculation of the President’s security personnel by also insisting that it is not illegal to be inoculated with a COVID-19 vaccine that has not been registered with regulators.
Drilon however begged to differ.
The senator said that those involved in the controversial vaccination cannot invoke “good faith” nor ignorance of the law.
“It is a rule in law that ignorance of the law excuses no one from compliance therewith,” he said.
He said that under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Law as amended by Republic Act No. 9711, the “manufacture, importation, exportation, sale, offering for sale, distribution, transfer, non-consumer use, promotion, advertising, or sponsorship of any health product that is adulterated, unregistered or misbranded or any health product which, although requiring registration, is not registered with the FDA pursuant to this Act” is are prohibited.
Drilon warned that those involved in the unauthorized vaccine inoculation could face a penalty of imprisonment ranging from one to 10 years or a fine of up to P500,000.
The manufacturer, importer, or distributor faces stiffer penalties of five to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of P500,000 to P5 million, Drilon added.
“The FDA’s assertion that it has not given any Emergency Use Authorization to any vaccine for COVID-19 is enough basis to prosecute those involved in this illegal inoculation. Our authorities should look into it and prosecute those involved,” he added.
