Malacañang has called for "mutual respect" between the Executive branch and the legislature amid the planned inquiry into the government’s vaccination plan that may include how the Presidential Security Group (PSG) obtained unregistered coronavirus vaccines.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the plea after questioning the Senate's alleged interference on the affairs related to the President's security.

"Hindi ko po maintindihan kung bakit paghihimasukan ng Senado, ang co-equal branch of government, ang seguridad ng ating Presidente, eh gayong hindi naman pinanghihimasukan ng Presidente ang seguridad ng Senado. So, siguro po, mutual respect for co-equal branches of government (I don't understand why the Senate, a co-equal branch of government, will interfere with the security of the President when the President does not interfere with the security of the Senate. So perhaps there should be mutual respect for co-equal branches of government)," he said during an online press briefing. 

Roque insisted that the PSG troopers decided to get coronavirus vaccines even without authorization in line with its mission to protect the President. He said the President's close-in security team is ready to die for the President and will face the consequences of their action.

In the wake of the controversy arising from the unauthorized vaccine use by the President’s close-in security team, the Senate will reportedly launch an investigation into the government's vaccination plan next week. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon has suggested that the head of the PSG should be invited to shed light on the vaccination of the security personnel.

Roque said the PSG is prepared to cooperate with any investigation into its vaccination effort. 

"Wala po tayong tinatago, VP Leni Robredo, kaya nga po nagkakaroon po ng mga imbestigasyon ang NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), ang DoJ (Department of Justice), at ang FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (We are not hiding VP Leni Robredo. That’s why the NBI, DoJ, and FDA will conduct their investigation),” he said.

"Wala pong takot ang ating mga PSG kung papatawan sila ng parusa (The PSG is not afraid if they will be slapped with punishment),” he added.

When asked if the Palace will allow PSG commander Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III to appear before the Senate inquiry, Roque said he does not yet know the President's directive on the matter.

"Pero ulitin ko iyong sinabi ko: Kung hindi naman po pinanghihimasukan ng Presidente ang seguridad kung paano nagpapatupad ng seguridad ang Senado, bakit naman panghihimasukan iyong pagbibigay seguridad sa ating Presidente. Co-equal branches po kasi iyan, respect po sana (But I will repeat what I said. If the President does not meddle in the security arrangement in the Senate, why would they meddle in the President's security. They are co-equal branches of government, there should be respect)," he said.

Asked to give details about the PSG vaccination, including the source of the vaccine, Roque declined to further comment, saying: “It’s not a fair question. It’s immaterial.”

He asserted that by taking the vaccine shot, PSG members put their lives on the line to protect the President. “That’s their business,” he said.

Roque said he hopes the issue about the PSG vaccination will be put to rest.  "Tigil na po ang pulitika. Alam naman po natin na walang tigil ang isyu na ito na ginagamit ng mga kalaban ng gobyerno (Let’s stop the politiking. We know there is no end to this issue used by enemies of the government),” he said.

The President recently bared that some military personnel have been inoculated with the coronavirus vaccines developed by China’s Sinopharm.  Duterte said he wanted the government's security forces to be the first to be because he does not want a "sickly" military and police.

Durante later confirmed the vaccination of the President's close-in security team, triggering criticisms from some groups over the unauthorized use of the vaccines.  The Food and Drug Administration has yet to approve any COVID vaccine in the country.