Duterte criticizes Western firms over COVID-19 vaccine advance payment

President Rodrigo Duterte criticized pharmaceutical companies from Western countries for requiring advance payment or 'reservation fee' for COVID-19 vaccines that are still under development.

He stated that these companies prioritize profit and questioned their request for money before finalizing the deal, emphasizing adherence to Philippine procurement laws which prohibit purchasing non-existent products.

Duterte expressed preference for Russia and China's vaccine candidates if they prove as effective as others in the market.