Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso has ordered Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center (GABMMC) director Dr. Ted Martin to conduct administrative proceedings and file appropriate administrative charges against a nurse who was allegedly caught selling Sinovac vaccines.
The mayor issued the order after a certain Alexis Francisco de Guzman, a nurse at GABMMC, was apprehended by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents in Quezon City on Wednesday, June 30, for selling the COVID-19 vaccines.
The city government clarified in a statement that the vaccines confiscated from the nurse were "not sourced from the supply of the Manila Health Department (MHD)."
"These COVID-19 vaccines are highly regulated and highly controlled by the LGU. Hindi galing sa Manila LGU ang mga ibinebenta na bakuna (The vaccines that are being sold are not from the Manila LGU)," Domagoso said on Friday (July 2).
Domagoso also said that unauthorized/unlawful selling of COVID-19 vaccines is prohibited in the city under City Ordinance No. 8740.
“Harapin niya ang kanyang kaso sa husgado (Face his charges in the court),” he said.
In a statement, GABMMC officials said they do not condone illegal activities.
"His actions have placed the name of this institution in a bad light and we are very willing to cooperate with any investigating authority regarding such matter," the hospital management said.
The hospital said the apprehended nurse has "never been part" of its vaccination team and he has "never been involved in the handling of vaccines."
"We, the employees and staff of Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center are one with the Honorable Mayor that such unlawful acts of Mr. De Guzman has no place in the City of Manila and this institution," the hospital statement read.