A screenshot of President Rodrigo Duterte during his “Talk to the People”, a pre-taped national address aired on television on Monday night, April 12, 2021 – two weeks after being absent from the public eye. PTV live streaming
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday night that he will waive his allocation of the COVID-19 vaccine and suggested that it be given to someone else who still can live.
Duterte surfaced on national television via a pre-taped national address after being away from public view for two weeks, sparking speculations over his health condition.
“Ako, magw-waive ako because 70 above ako. Anong makuha mo? Dream of what? Dream of living until kingdom come? Ako mag-waive ako. Kung sinong may gusto sa slot ko, ibigay ko,” Duterte said in his taped address to the nation.
“Kung panahon ko na, either it’s COVID or a Bala or whatever disgrasya, wala ako masyadong ano dyan sa illusions about life or death. If anyone wants to have it, they can have it. We (senior citizens) are not in the priority anyway kasi above ano na. Ang unahin natin ‘yung mabubuhay pa,” he added.
Senior citizens belong to the A2 group in the government’s vaccine priority list. A1 group is the health workers who are at the forefront of the nation’s battle against COVID-19.
In February, the Palace said Duterte is already willing to be vaccinated in public against the new coronavirus in order to boost Filipinos’ confidence in the vaccines.
A previous Pulse Asia survey showed that almost half or 47 percent of Filipinos do not want to be vaccinated against COVID-19 due to safety concerns.