It’s final, Duterte to be vaccinated in private: ‘Sa puwet siya magpapasaksak’

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to be vaccinated against Covid-19 in private is final since he will be injected in his buttocks, Malacañang said Tuesday.

During a Palace briefing, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque was asked whether or not the President’s decision to be vaccinated in private is final.

“I think so. He has said so. Sabi niya nga, sa puwet siya sa magpapasaksak, so hindi pwede na public,” Roque said.

(He said he will get injected in the buttocks so it can’t be done in public.)

The President has agreed to get inoculated with a Covid-19 vaccine but it has to be done behind closed doors.

Roque earlier said that it was the President’s “personal decision” to get vaccinated privately.

Vice President Leni Robredo had said that it is important that President Duterte will publicly get the first shot of the Covid-19 vaccine to boost Filipinos’ confidence to get vaccinated.

Duterte initially said he is willing to be the first one to be injected with the coronavirus vaccine to prove its efficacy and safety, referring to Russia’s Sputnik-V vaccine.

But his tone changed after the government secured vaccine supplies from China’s Sinovac Biotech, saying that officials will be the last in line.

JE