Drilon hints at ‘cover-up’ in ‘illegal’ use of unauthorized COVID-19 vaccine

MANILA, Philippines – Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Wednesday pointed to an alleged attempt to cover up details of “illegal” inoculation by some members of the Cabinet, the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and the military against the COVID-19 even as regulators have yet to authorize the use of a coronavirus disease vaccine in the country.

“Nagkakabuhul-buhol na sila sa kakapalusot. They are lying in an attempt to protect those who are primarily involved in the illegal shipment of unauthorized vaccines into the country, ”Drilon said in a statement.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) previously said it would investigate the controversial vaccination of some government officials, presidential guards and soldiers.

While it has not yet been confirmed which brand of vaccine was administered, President Rodrigo Duterte said in a speech over the weekend that many Filipinos have already received the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Sinopharm of China.

The Customs Office (BOC) will also investigate to see how supplies of said vaccine passed inspectors at the country’s borders.

But the Senate minority leader believes there is no way unauthorized vaccines could have entered the country without authorization from the BOC.

“They cannot hide the truth. The truth will come out and we will find their fingerprints everywhere, ”he said.

“Those who caused the illegal importation and administration of the unauthorized vaccine must be held responsible. Otherwise, the environment of impunity is improved, “added Drilon, former Secretary of Justice.

In a previous television interview, PSG boss Brig. General Jesús During III refused to reveal the number of PSG staff members who received the vaccine, but said a “handful” had been inoculated.

He added that it was the members of the PSG themselves who administered the vaccine.

“We have done our research. For now, we have found the right vaccine for us, which I could say is a traditional vaccine, so we took a chance, ”said Durante.

Despite fierce criticism from legislators and various groups, Malacañang said there was no violation of the anti-bribery law when PSG received the vaccines because they were only “tokens” and no public funds were used for it.

However, neither Malacañang nor PSG revealed where the vaccines came from, but said they were “donated”.

The Palace defended the early inoculation of the president’s security personnel, also insisting that it is not illegal to be inoculated with a COVID-19 vaccine that has not been registered with regulators.

Drilon, however, disagreed.

The senator said that those involved in the controversial vaccination cannot invoke “good faith” or ignorance of the law.

“It is a rule of law that ignorance of the law does not exempt anyone from complying with it,” he said.

He said that under the Law of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) modified by the Law of the Republic No. 9711, the “manufacture, import, export, sale, offer for sale, distribution, transfer, non-consumer use, promotion , advertising or the sponsorship of any health product that is adulterated, unregistered or mislabeled, or any health product that, although it requires registration, is not registered with the FDA in accordance with this Act is prohibited ”.

Drilon warned that those involved in inoculating the unauthorized vaccine could face a prison sentence of one to 10 years or a fine of up to P500,000.

The manufacturer, importer or distributor faces more severe penalties of five to 10 years in prison and a fine of 500,000 to 5 million pesetas, Drilon added.

“The FDA’s statement that it has not granted an Emergency Use Authorization to any vaccine for COVID-19 is sufficient basis for prosecuting those involved in this illegal inoculation. Our authorities must investigate it and prosecute those involved, “he added.

/ MUF

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