Lawyers file SC petition for vaccine procurement info

A group of lawyers, led by former solicitor general Jose Anselmo Cadiz, filed a petition with the Supreme Court on Thursday to request government agencies to disclose information about the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines from 020 to 2022.

The petitioners argue that the refusal to share documents violates the public's right to information under Section 7, Article III of the Constitution and seek access to supply agreements and details of vaccine procurement and liquidation.

Former Solicitor General Jose Anselmo Cadiz noted that PHP113.5 billion was allocated for vaccine procurement from 2020 to 2022, with funds coming from various sources including national budget, Asian Development Bank, World Bank, and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

The petitioners also seek information about any excess funds allotted for anti-COVID-19 programs after President Marcos lifted the State of Public Health Emergency in July 2023.

In an interview with reporters, Cadiz emphasized the importance of transparency regarding the procurement cost, stating that 'With the large sum involved, this is imbued with public interest and therefore, the people should know if the price paid for the vaccines was true and just.'

The petitioners filed their request after government agencies refused to disclose information on vaccine procurement through formal channels like Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.

At the height of the pandemic, the government spent billions of pesos to inoculate Filipinos against COVID-19.