‘BFF prices’ but no corruption: Manila defends Philippines’ deal with China’s Sinovac for CoronaVac vaccine
- Presidential spokesman Harry Roque and vaccine tsar Ricardo Galvez say allegations that corruption has hiked prices of the vaccine are ‘fake news’
- Their intervention follows a claim by Senator Panfilo Lacson that prices quoted to the Philippines were almost eight times those asked of Thailand
Their intervention came after comments on Twitter by Senator Panfilo Lacson on Sunday morning, in which he suggested corruption was to blame for sharp fluctuations in the prices being offered to countries in the region.
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The Philippines is among the worst hit countries in Southeast Asia, having recorded more than 500,000 infections and nearly 10,000 deaths.
He said the difference reminded him of an old story about how corruption was committed in Southeast Asia, “under the table, on the table, and including the table”.
Lacson’s insinuation did not sit well with Roque, who told radio station DZBB hours later that prices being quoted on social media – including one for as much as 3,600 pesos (US$74) – were “fake news”.