Rappler
PH missed chance to get Pfizer vaccines in January because of Duque – Lacson
Senator Panfilo Lacson stated that Health Secretary Francisco Duque III's inaction caused the Philippines to miss out on a January 2021 delivery of 10 million Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines.
According to Lacson, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez arranged a meeting where US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. discussed vaccine procurement.
Lacson claimed that Duque's failure to complete the necessary Confidentiality Disclosure Agreement (CDA) led to the missed opportunity, despite Pfizer's representative following up on the requirement.
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III had confirmed that funds were available for the vaccine purchase.
Senator Francis Pangilinan suggested that Duque may face graft charges due to gross and inexcusable negligence if his lapses in the Pfizer deal are confirmed.
Pangilinan also expressed concern about potential kickbacks or overpricing in the vaccine procurement process.
Lacson noted that Singapore has since received its vaccine delivery, while the Philippines has not, and that Ambassador Romualdez described ongoing negotiations as a new effort after the initial opportunity was lost.
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Senate President Vicente Sotto III believes Health Secretary Francisco Duque III need not explain his side regarding the failed procurement of COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer, as he is convinced Duque was at fault.
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Health Secretary Francisco Duque III defended himself against accusations that he delayed the Philippines' early access to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
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Senator Manny Pacquiao urged Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to be replaced due to his alleged failure to secure COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer by January, which Pacquiao claims caused the Philippines to miss its chance for an early vaccine delivery.
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President Rodrigo Duterte saw "no major lapse" in the country's negotiations with Pfizer for COVID-19 vaccines, with Malacañang stating that the ongoing talks mean it is not a major issue.
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The Philippines missed an opportunity to secure approximately 10 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for early delivery in January 2021 due to a delayed submission of a Confidentiality Disclosure Agreement.
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