Lawmakers Question Pfizer Deal, Hopes It Wasn’t Done For “Kickvac”
KICKVAC INSTEAD OF PFIZER – Lawmakers emphasized that some officials may be held responsible for graft for failing to follow through the Pfizer Vaccine deal.
Recently, controversy struck with Health Chief Francisco Duque III in its epicenter yet again. According to Senator Panfilo Lacson, Duque was the person who “dropped the ball” amid the Pfizer vaccine deal for the Philippines.
Lacson stated that Duque failed to pass the necessary requirements for the deal to push through despite having enough time to do so. However, Duque quickly defended himself and said Pfizer made no promises to the country.
Meanwhile, Senators such as Kiko Pangilinan were looking at things from a different perspective. According to an article from Inquirer, Pangilinan stated:
We just hope it’s not an issue of ‘kickvac’ that led to the ‘dropping of the ball’ in the vaccine procurement…
On the other hand, if it can be proved that the refusal to act within a reasonable time was intended to favor another party, then Section 3(f) of the antigraft law applies
However, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque defended Duque and said:
I think from the overall demeanor of the President, he sees no major lapse because what is being discussed is a contract and Secretary Duque is not a lawyer. And no damage was done because we continue to negotiate with Pfizer.
Instead of Pfizer, the Philippines has set its eyes on China and Russia’s vaccines. But, The country’s vaccine czar says there’s a higher possibility of the government prioritizing the China vaccine, Sinovac.
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