President Duterte is ready to risk his life to ensure the health of Filipinos after volunteering to take a coronavirus vaccine shot from Russia, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the President wanted the nation "not to lose hope" as the coronavirus vaccine would soon be within reach.

"Nag-uunahan po ang mga bansa sa buong daigdig na magkaroon ng vaccine laban sa COVID-19 at kung kinakailangan na isugal nga niya ang buhay niya para masigurado na itong vaccine na ito ay makakasalba ng buhay dito sa Pilipinas, gagawin niya po iyon (Countries around the world are racing to develop a vaccine against COVID-19 and if he has to risk his life to ensure the vaccine can save lives in the Philippines, he will do it)," he said during a televised press briefing.

"Handa po siyang ialay ang sarili niyang buhay para po maisalba ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan (He is ready to offer his life to see the lives of our countrymen)," Roque added.

Addressing the nation Monday night, President Duterte announced that he has accepted Russia's offer to supply the coronavirus vaccine to the Philippines. He also volunteered to get the first vaccine shot to test its safety for the people.

Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev earlier said Russia has developed a safe and effective coronavirus vaccine and expressed readiness to cooperate with the Philippines on clinical trials, vaccine production and supply.

Roque said the coronavirus vaccine developed by Russia will still pass the regulatory approval of the Food and Drug Administration for safety and efficacy before public distribution.

He said while the President is grateful for Russia's vaccine offer, the government must follow the country's laws on public health and safety standards.

"Dadaan din po iyan sa proseso natin iyan. At naiintindihan naman po ng mga Russians iyan dahil may batas po kasi. Unless the FDA declares nga an emergency, compassionate use, iyon po pupuwede (It will go through the process and the Russians understand that because we have a law. Unless FDA declares an emergency, compassionate use, it is possible)," he said.

"Pero for mass distribution, tingin ko po, dapat sundin pa rin iyong batas and that calls for clinical trials po. Puwede naman po ang gobyerno gumastos diyan sa clinical trials na iyan (But for mass distribution, I think we must follow the law that calls for clinical trials. The government can spend on clinical trials)," he added.