Whoever decides to buy the SinoVac vaccine at P3,629.50 for two doses may qualify for being dragged down the street, a variation of Duterte’s style of public shaming, if he does not spit out the apparent overprice or commission. Is it General Galvez, since he is called “vaccine czar,” or Health Secretary Francisco Duque by virtue of his office, or actually President Duterte himself? Is the choice of a vaccine for mass inoculation to be based on scientific data, market forces, political considerations, or all of the above? To the Twitter post of former elections commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal that the Philippines seemed to have “acted too late” in finalizing vaccine deals, Locsin replied: “No. We wish all vaccine sources would clarify what they mean by “provide.” Are they selling or donating the vaccine to the Philippines?

Source: Philippine Star December 16, 2020 15:56 UTC