Members of the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives slammed on Monday the reported grant of priority COVID-19 immunization to the military personnel and government executives, saying that the so-called VIP vaccination violates the law.

In separate press statements,  Reps. Ferdinand Gaite (Bayan Muna Partylist) and Sarah Jane Elago (Kabataan Partylist) joined the protest against the VIP vaccination issue, many of them pointing out that this came ahead of approval by health authorities of any anti-COVID-19 vaccine in the country.

Even if approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been granted, objection is likely to be aired by concerned groups because under the order of prioritization, uniformed personnel are supposed to rank fifth, with the 1.76 million health workers on top of the list.

"Nagsisinungaling itong si Roque. Labag iyang VIP Bakuna sa Republic Act 9711 na nagsasabing dapat kunin ng approval ng FDA sa lahat ng pagkakataon (Roque is lying.  VIP vaccination is prohibited under Republic Act 9711 that provides that FDA approval is required at all times,” said Gaite, referring to a statement made by presidential spokesman Harry Roque defending the vaccination of military men.

RA 9711 is the law that strengthened and rationalized the regulatory mandate of the FDA.

Gaite said whether or not the vaccines, reportedly donated  by China’s Sinopharm, FDA nod remains a requisite.

He pointed out that Sinopharm has not applied even for clinical trials.

For her part, the Kabataan partylist represented by Elago chided government for allegedly allowing the vaccination of groups other than the country’s health sectors which ranks the highest among the number of deaths and infection reported in the country.

In a briefing organized last month by the House Committee on People’s Participation, the Department of Health, represented by Dr. Aleli Annie Grace Sudiacal, disclosed that the country’s 1,762,994 health workers from both the public and private sectors will get the first batch of approved COVID-19 vaccines.

San Jose del Monte Rep. Rida Robes, chairperson of the people’s participation panel, said the prioritization list is clearly based on close analysis of the pandemic situation, citing vaccine czar and national task force on COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez for swiftly addressing the prioritization issue.

“IATF’s handling of the anti-pandemic program has also been cited by other countries as successful.  We found solutions to the worst problems faced by the country,” Robes said.

The order of COVID-19 vaccine priority follows: 

First priority -  Frontline health workers numbering about 1,762,994 from both public and private sector.

Second priority -   Indigent senior citizens estimated at around 3,789,874 in number.

Third priority -  Remaining 5,678,544 senior citizens.

Fourth Priority - Remaining indigent population estimated at 12,911,193.

Fifth priority - Uniformed personnel, 525,523

6th Priority - Teachers and school workers in both private and public institutions.

7th Priority - All government workers from national agencies and local government units.

8th Priority - Essential workers in agriculture, food industry, transportation and tourism.

9th Priority -  Sociodemographic groups at significantly high risk other than senior citizens and indigent populations such as persons deprived of liberty; persons with disabilities and Filipinos living in high density areas.

10th Priority - Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

11th Priority - Other remaining work force.

12th Priority - Students.

The Kabataan partylist pointed out that based on a recent statement made by FDA Director General Eric Domingo, the agency has not yet issued any Emergency Use Authorization to any potential COVID 19 vaccine that will be administered in the country.