Instead of getting the Sinovac vaccine donated by China, President Duterte has requested another brand of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) vaccine for him, his family, and possibly for some Cabinet members.

The President admitted seeking a "personal" supply of vaccines after expressing readiness to be inoculated to enhance protection against the new coronavirus disease.

Duterte however did not identify the brand but the Palace previously mentioned he prefers to be injected with a vaccine developed by China's Sinopharm. The 75-year-old leader earlier disclosed that his doctor has advised him to wait for a specific vaccine brand due to his old age.

"Ako, naghingi ako, personal. Wala silang stock na ano eh. Naghingi ako para sa pamilya ko pati sa akin (I asked for a personal supply. There is no stock yet. I asked for vaccines for family and me)," Duterte said during a press conference Sunday, Feb. 28, after welcoming the arrival of 600,000 doses of Sinovac vaccines donated by China to the country

"I don't know if we would have enough vaccines for everybody but I think I can accommodate the --- itong Cabinet members," he added during the turnover ceremony held at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City.

The President is not among the first recipients of the Sinovac vaccines given by China as he waits for the other Chinese brand recommended by his doctor.

"My doctor has in mind. It's a Chinese brand still pero hindi ito. Siya 'yong nakaalam ng constitution ng katawan ko (It's a Chinese brand but it's not this. My doctors know the constitution of my body)," he said.

The President made the remarks a few days after former special envoy to China Ramon Tulfo revealed Duterte's preference for the Sinopharm vaccine. The newspaper columnist also bared he arranged a phone call between the President and a Sinopharm representative and that the former asked for vaccines for him and his family.

Sinopharm has yet to secure an emergency use approval for its vaccines in the country. The Food and Drug Administration however allowed the Presidential Security Group to secure Sinopharm vaccines under a compassionate use license. The Palace earlier said the legal team was studying if the President can get the Sinopharm vaccine under such compassionate use permit.

Even though he won't get the Sinovac vaccine, the President tried to assure the public that such a vaccine is effective in preventing coronavirus illness.

"I am giving the guarantee that it is effective. That efficacy is good," he said.

Duterte also encouraged people to get vaccinated, telling them to get their doctor's advice on which vaccine to take.

"Ngayon, 'yong ayaw magpabakuna, wala akong magawa para sa inyo (Now, to those who refused to be vaccinated, I can't do anything for you) or you might want at least you know in your lifetime, may kilala kang doktor, magtanong ka na lang sa doktor kung anong mabuti sa iyo (if you know a doctor, ask the doctor what will be good for you)," he said.

He noted that although senior citizens like him are "discouraged" from getting the vaccine, he is prepared to get vaccinated. "Pero ako, since I get to go around and meet people to travel, baka kailangan ko (I might need it)," he said.