President Rodrigo Duterte has instructed vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. to share details of the government’s vaccine procurement with Senate President Vicente Sotto III for “transparency.”
This, after Galvez initially refused to inform lawmakers of the prices of vaccines as discussed with drug companies.
“[I]natasan niya si Secretary Galvez na ipaalam ang kasunduan kay Senate President Sotto,” said Senator Bong Go.
Duterte’s order comes shortly after Galvez emphasized the need to comply with confidential disclosure agreements signed with vaccine makers.
“Maaari pong mawala sa atin ang 148 million doses na nine-negotiate po natin sa mga vaccine companies kapag lumabag po tayo sa ating kasunduan.”
Galvez, who was heavily questioned during the Senate Committee of the Whole’s hearing on the national vaccination plan last week, also expressed his intent to reconcile and harmonize information on vaccines with those in lawmakers’ possession.
“Nakita po natin na sa pandemic po na ito, kailangang-kailangan po natin angcooperation po ng Senado at ng ehekutibo para magkaroon po tayo ng tinatawag nawhole-of-nation, whole-of-government approach,” he said.
