Duterte wants deal with Chinese government to provide Covid-19 vaccines to Philippines
- Duterte said that China and Russia appeared to be ahead in the vaccine race but any country that submitted the best offer could be chosen
- The Philippines has the second-highest number of infections and fatalities in Southeast Asia behind Indonesia
The Philippines, with its more than 108 million people and among the highest number of Covid-19 infections in Asia, is considered both a suitable location for clinical trials and a large market for global vaccine manufacturers.
“Let me tell everybody that we will not beg, we will pay,” Duterte said in a weekly televised address. “To the Chinese government, you need not look for partners, we can make it government-to-government.”
The Philippine leader later said that although China and Russia appeared to be ahead in the vaccine race, any country that submitted the best offer could be chosen.
China’s Sinovac Biotech may start late-stage trials of its vaccine in the Philippines as early as next month, with the drugs agency evaluating its application.
Philippine authorities are also evaluating Covid-19 vaccines of Russia’s Gamaleya Research Institute and Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen for late-stage trials and in talks with drug maker Pfizer and Moderna Inc as potential suppliers. Australia’s Vaxine has also expressed interest in holding a clinical trial.
The Philippines has initially allotted US$400 million to buy 40 million doses for 20 million Filipinos, as part of Duterte’s plan to inoculate the entire population.
The Philippines reported fewer coronavirus cases last week amid a slowdown in testing as the Red Cross halted most of its Covid-19 operations after the state health insurer failed to pay.
Duterte also extended partially relaxed coronavirus curbs in the capital, the country’s hotspot, by another month to the end of November. Schools remain closed while social distancing is imposed in public places and on mass transport.
Amid coronavirus lockdown, Philippines records pregnancy boom
Metro Manila will stay under general community quarantine, where most businesses are allowed to operate, Duterte said in a briefing aired on Tuesday. The government this month shortened curfew hours in Manila and eased the stay-at-home order to further reopen its economy.
Duterte also ordered the Department of Justice to probe corruption allegations across the entire government, stressing that investigations will continue even after the officials involved have resigned.
The Public Works Department will be the focus of corruption probe, Duterte said, although he added that he had “nothing against” its head, Mark Villar.
“I will concentrate the last remaining years of my term fighting corruption because it has worsened,” he said.
Additional reporting by Bloomberg
