Sotto: ‘No vax, no ride’ policy discriminating; Palace must be more creative

Senate President Vicente Sotto III | Contributed photo

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Vicente Sotto III has rejected the Palace’s “No Vaccine, No Ride” policy and urged the government to be more creative in convincing more individuals to avail of its free vaccination program.

Sotto described Malacanang’s policy as “discriminating.” He also said it would only stir resentment among the unvaccinated, all the more discouraging them from getting the vaccine against COVID-19.

“There should be no discrimination among the riding public. Instead of barring them from riding public transports, DOTr (Department of Transportation) should come up with brighter ideas on how to protect the unvaxxed from the deadly virus,” said the senator who is running for vice president in the elections this May.

“For example, in trains or in PUBs, designated coaches or buses should be designated for riders who have not been jabbed,” he added.

Sotto further said “to destabilize the means of transportation of our people should not be the only option. Think. Explore.”

Sotto was reacting to the announcement of the DOTr that it will implement a “No Vaccination, No Ride” policy in all public transports in Metro Manila, which is now under COVID-19 Alert Level 3 amid a spike in new infections.

Experts said they suspect that the rising new COVID-19 cases could be due to the local transmission of the Omicron variant of the virus.

Sotto said the government should think for the sake of the unvaccinated individuals, too.

“Our government should also serve the people who still don’t want to get their vaccines,” he said.