Senator Leila de Lima on Tuesday, April 20, lauded the Filipino-American healthcare groups who sought United States President Joe Biden’s help in expediting the 20 million Moderna vaccines purchased by the Philippine government and private sector from the US drug company.
De Lima said the efforts of the members of these groups is laudable and will help address the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines.
“The members of these groups may be miles away from us, but they showed that distance can never prevent them from going the extra mile to show concern and love for their countrymen and ensure that their fellow Filipinos’ lives will be protected,” De Lima said in a statement.
“Amid the critical situation that we have in the country as COVID-19 cases continue to rise, we really need the help from the US government to ensure the early release of Moderna jabs in the Philippines,” the detained senator added.
The Filipino-American groups, which includes the US Medicare in the Philippines and the Philippine Medical Association of Metro Washington DC, sought Biden’s help in speeding up the process for the Moderna vaccines procured by the government.
De Lima lamented the Duterte government supposedly did not bother to touch base with his US counterpart on the matter of the vaccines.
“If he can do it with the Chinese or Russian presidents, why not the US president, the US being a friend and the Filipinos’ most trusted major ally? All it takes is a small ounce of humility and sincerity in seeking succor from the US and other Western countries, to augment the still very deficient supply of vaccines coming our way,” she said.
“During this time of a crisis, our people need vaccines against this coronavirus. I hope the President would prioritize the welfare of the Filipinos and not hold any personal grudge with the US,” she pointed out.