FOR the ninth time, Malacañang has swatted Vice President Leni Robredo’s suggestion for the government to prepare the initial list of recipients of the COVID-19 vaccine ahead of its expected roll out sometime next year.
In a press briefing in Davao City, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque described Robredo’s effort as “too late.”
According to Roque said the government already had a list of potential recipients even before Robredo made her suggestion on Sunday, adding the priority groups include medical frontliners, the poor, military, and the police.
“We don’t have to adopt the suggestion dahil meron na po kaming listahan,” Roque was quoted as saying to reporters.
As if his words were not enough, Roque also uttered a statement which appears much of a competition between President Rodrigo Duterte and the Vice President.
“Thank you very much again but again po a bit too late kasi si Presidente Duterte po 10 steps ahead.”
Interestingly, it has always been the manner in which Roque responds to questions in press briefings that depicts an ongoing competition between the two highest elected officials in the country – for which he earned the ire of netizens who aptly described him as antagonistic.
“If there’s one person who’s always late to know matters of his concern, si Roque yun. Imagine, una pang nakakaalam ng mga Palace concerns si Senator Bong Go at mga reporters,” says a netizen, who declined to be named.
“An effective spokesperson should realize that as an alter ego of the President, he should at least be able to read his mind — something he has failed to do. Madalas nga iba ang sinasabi niya sa binibitawang salita ng Pangulo,” the netizen added.
Robredo earlier cited the lack of budget for vaccine storage equipment and urged authorities to request additional funds for logistics.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri earlier said senators had agreed to allocate more funds for COVID-19 vaccines and cold storage facilities.
Some P2.5 billion has initially been allocated under the proposed 2021 national budget for COVID-19 vaccine procurement.
Duterte recently approved recommendations for the Philippines to enter into advance supply agreements and provide early payments to COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers, as well as to allow the emergency use of vaccine candidates.