MANILA, Philippines — While assuring that the Philippines will not compromise its claim in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in securing Covid-19 vaccines from China, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said “differences should be set aside” in fighting the global pandemic.
“We will not compromise our stake…,” Galvez told senators during the Senate hearing into the government’s Covid-19 vaccination plan on Friday.
“And at the same time, we are looking at the global interest of really putting an end to this pandemic. This is a world menace…the differences that we have, maybe we have to set this aside so that we can rally, that’s my point, to rally behind saving humanity,” he added.
Before this, Senator Risa Hontiveros asked Galvez for assurance that the country’s national interest in the West Philippine Sea will not be compromised in the government’s procurement of vaccines from China.
Initially, Galvez told Hontiveros that differences in issues concerning the West Philippine Sea “should be set aside” amid the global pandemic.
“This is a global pandemic…nakikita po natin na talagang ang ano po natin ang problema natin ngayon is a global menace, which is in order to control and contain the pandemic,” the vaccine czar said.
This, however, surprised Hontiveros.
“Kahit lahat tayo nage-exert ng effort magtulungan, I’m simply asking for a reassurance na hindi natin babawasan yung ating pagtaguyod ng national interest sa West Philippine Sea kahit dito sa usapin ng pagbili ng vaccine sa Tsina,” she said.
(Even if all of the countries are exerting effort to help one another, I’m simply asking for reassurance that our national interest in the West Philippine Sea will not be compromised in the government’s effort to secure vaccines from China.)
3RD COW HEARING: Senate President Vicente Sotto III shows a message in his cellular phone to vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. before the start of the continuation of discussion on the government’s COVID-19 vaccination program Friday, January 22, 2021. (Alex Nueva España/Senate PRIB)
In response, Galvez clarified and assured Hontiveros that “we will not compromise our stake.”
“The global interest…is really to save humanity, all countries rallied to support each other. That’s the context we are looking at,” he also said.
“We are adhering with the concept of equitable access, the safety, and efficacy of the vaccine,” he added.
Earlier, Galvez announced that the application of the Philippines to participate in the vaccine alliance COVAX facility has been approved.
The Philippines is seen to receive up to 40 million free Covid-19 vaccines from COVAX, which is a platform that aims to ensure rapid, fair, and equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines for all countries.