Opposition Sen. Francis "Kiko" N. Pangilinan supports the call of Vice President Leni Robredo for a transparent investigation of the alleged COVID-19 vaccine given to some members of the military and the Presidential Security Group.

 "Bakit sinisikreto ang pagbabakuna? Dapat nga sine-celebrate ito dahil magandang balita ito, unless merong iligal sa mga transaksyon," Pangilinan said.

(Why was the vaccination done secretly? This should be celebrated because this is good news, unless there was an illegal transaction)

 "An honest and transparent investigation of the so-called smuggled vaccines and a credible result will bring back the confidence of the people in the government's vaccination program. Dapat maparusahan ang gumagawa at nag-uutos ng iligal," he added.

(Those who did this and those who ordered it must be punished)

 Pangilinan said the inoculation of the military and the President's guards made a mockery of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has been working hard to find safe vaccines for the Filipinos against COVID-19.

It also endangers the military personnel inoculated since unauthorized vaccines still lack the safety and efficacy requirements, he said.

Pangilinan said that the incident raised questions about who should get the vaccines first.

 "Palakasan ang nanaig sa kung sino ang mababakunahan. The vulnerable and poor sectors, the elderly and the frontliners as determined by the Department of Health, should be first in line," he said. 

(It is very apparent that influence played a key role on who should be inoculated)

 Pangilinan called on local government units not to emulate the unauthorized vaccination, stressing it was illegal and could imperil their constituents.