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Zubiri seeks executive session to find out prices of COVID-19 vaccines
Senators plan to demand the executive branch disclose the prices of COVID-19 vaccines procured through government deals, citing transparency concerns.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri proposed an executive session to discuss vaccine prices, stating that non-disclosure agreements cannot be used to hide information about the use of public funds.
Zubiri seeks to ensure proper accounting for the Commission on Audit regarding vaccine expenses.
He also expressed concern over the Department of Health's deal with Sinovac, noting its efficacy rate and potentially high commercial price.
Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. countered that Sinovac is not the most expensive vaccine and warned that disclosing prices prematurely could jeopardize negotiations for 140 million doses.
Galvez stated that vaccine prices will become public domain after negotiations are finalized.
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President Rodrigo Duterte ordered vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. to disclose COVID-19 vaccine deal details to Senate President Vicente Sotto III for transparency.
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Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. proposed a confidential disclosure agreement (CDA) between individual senators and vaccine manufacturers to allow lawmakers to know the exact prices of COVID-19 vaccines.
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Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon urged vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. to disclose the prices of COVID-19 vaccines secured by the Philippine government.
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The Philippine government will negotiate for the most ideal prices of safe and efficacious COVID-19 vaccines, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
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The Philippine Senate will resume its inquiry into the government's COVID-19 immunization program this Friday, January 22, to address lingering questions regarding vaccine pricing and efficacy.
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