President Duterte insisted that there’s no corruption in COVID-19 vaccine procurement.
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday insisted that there’s no corruption in the Philippine government’s procurement of vaccines needed to protect Filipinos from COVID-19.
In a televised address on Monday night, President Duterte admitted that he was hurt by “sweeping” corruption allegations in the acquisition of COVID-19 vaccines.
The President made it clear that he and other officials didn’t actually hold the money for the COVID-19 vaccine purchase.
President Duterte explained that since the Philippine government had taken out loans for the acquisition of COVID-19 vaccines, the payment would be made between the multilateral lender and the vaccine manufacturer.
“Masakit sa amin na basta na lang sweeping allegations about corruption. ‘Yung ang pakiusap ko lang din sa members ng Congress,” President Duterte said.
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The President also claimed that a lawmaker made the allegation against the Philippine government, but he refused to identify the said person.
Meanwhile, President Duterte thanked Congress for giving the executive branch “critical support” to discharge its duties particularly in the coronavirus pandemic response and COVID-19 vaccination program.
President Duterte said that he appreciated the lawmakers for understanding the Philippine government in dealing with the public health emergency.
Since appropriate funds had been allocated by Congress, the President said that concerned government officials must ensure the compliance with procurement and accounting rules related to the spending the COVID-related funds.
Moreover, President Duterte said that he didn’t begrudge Congress in the use of the public funds in order to ensure that such resources would “not be wasted or go in corruption”.
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