Manila Bulletin
Duterte confident of corruption-free COVID-19 vaccine purchase
President Rodrigo Duterte expressed full confidence that the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines will be free from corruption, with vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. solely in charge of the process.
Duterte stated that the acquisition of vaccines, estimated to cost PHP73 billion, is General Galvez's territory and assured that no kickbacks would be involved.
The President previously designated Galvez as the sole individual responsible for vaccine purchases to avoid potential delays that might arise from forming a committee.
He likewise agreed to make advance payments to companies making the vaccine so the Philippines will not be left behind on the road to recovery from the pandemic.
Duterte initially slammed western pharmaceutical companies for seeking what he called "reservation fees."
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Senator Leila De Lima has filed Senate Bill 1942, the "Libreng Bakuna Kontra COVID-19 Para sa Lahat ng Pilipino Act," aiming to provide free COVID-19 vaccines to all Filipinos.
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