Galvez publicly apologizes for ‘hurting’ senators’ feelings over remarks

MANILA, Philippines — Vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. on Friday publicly apologized for any comment he recently made against senators in light of the Senate inquiry into the government’s Covid-19 vaccination plan.

“I would like to make public for whatever statement that I made, I would make an apology if I’ve hurt your feelings,” Galvez told senators as the chamber opened its third hearing on the national vaccine program.

Last week, Senator Panfilo Lacson took Galvez to task as he “virtually accused” some senators of “‘demonizing vaccine developers or hurting the ongoing negotiations of our government with vaccine manufacturers and suppliers apparently referring to Sinovac.”

Lacson, on Thursday, said the vaccine czar had personally apologized to him over his remarks in a meeting late Wednesday.

Respect for Senate oversight

During Friday’s hearing, Galvez also expressed respect for the chamber’s oversight function in looking into the government’s vaccination program.

“I would also like to put on record that we recognize and respect the oversight functions of the Senate given that we all share the same objective which is to ensure that the Filipino people will have access to safe, effective, and cost-efficient vaccines,” he said.

“I sincerely appreciated the role of the Senate in helping us to explain to our countrymen the complicated process involved in negotiating and procuring vaccines for the country,” he added.

/MUF