Manila Bulletin
‘COVID-19 vaccines like ‘tokens’ with small value,’ says Roque as he asserts legality of ‘donations’ used to immunize PSG members, soldiers
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque stated that the COVID-19 vaccine administered to the Presidential Security Group (PSG) was a donation and did not involve public funds.
Roque emphasized that the inoculation of PSG members was free of charge and for the health and safety of the President.
The PSG received the unregistered vaccine despite a law prohibiting unregistered health products, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigating the matter.
Roque asserted the legality of the initiative, citing the vaccine's status as a donation and claiming they were given as 'tokens' during the Yuletide season.
He stated that the vaccines were not of much value and downplayed its significance when questioned about anti-graft laws.
Despite claiming it was a donation, Roque did not specify which country or organization it was from.
Topics in this story
Explore more stories about these topics.
🤖
This story was generated by AI to help you understand the key points. For more detailed coverage, please see the news articles from trusted media outlets below.
News Sources
See how different news organizations are covering this story. Below are the original articles from various Philippine news sources that contributed to this summary.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año stated that the COVID-19 vaccines given to the Presidential Security Group (PSG) were likely donations since no vaccines are commercially available in the Philippines.
Read more →
Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa expressed gratitude to the Presidential Security Group (PSG) members who received an unregistered COVID-19 vaccine, referring to them as "guinea pigs" in an experiment.
Read more →
Members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) were the first in the Armed Forces of the Philippines to receive COVID-19 vaccines, with some personnel vaccinated as early as September and completing their second dose in October.
+1
Read more →
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana stated that COVID-19 vaccines administered to some Presidential Security Group (PSG) personnel were smuggled because they lacked authorization from the FDA.
+1
Read more →
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana stated that he has no concerns regarding the vaccination of some Presidential Security Group (PSG) personnel with an unregistered COVID-19 vaccine.
Read more →