PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s remark about waiving his COVID-19 vaccination slot was his “personal conviction” that may change when more vaccine supplies arrive in the country, Malacañang said Tuesday.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this clarification after Duterte in a public address late Monday night said he is willing to give up his slot to those who need the vaccine to “live productively”.
“Ito ay personal conviction ng Pangulo habang kulang pa po ang ating mga bakuna. Mauna na ang taongbayan, saka na po siya (This is the President’s personal conviction now that there is a limited supply of vaccines. The people first before him),” he said in a virtual presser.
Roque explained that Duterte’s statement was “temporary” and expressed hope that it would change when the bulk of Covid-19 vaccines arrive in the second quarter of the year.
“Panandaliang sentimyento po ni Presidente yung sinabi niya kahapon na habang di pa sapat po ang mga bakuna…I hope that will change po dahil parating naman po yung mas maraming supply lalo na sa mga buwan ng Mayo at ng Hunyo,” he said.
Roque, however, said Duterte may push through with his public vaccination when more vaccine doses arrive in the country. Philippine News Agency
