Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Sunday, July 4 reminded the public that the government is administering the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines for free.
He said persons involved in the illegal sale of these jabs will face the full force of the law.
“Bawal po ‘yung for sale! Pinaghirapan po ito ng gobyerno, libre po ang bakuna na pinapamahagi sa tao (It’s not for sale! The government worked hard to acquire these jabs, it’s being distributed to all for free),” Go said in an interview in Surigao del Norte this weekend.
“Halos araw-araw tayong nagpa-follow up para makakuha lang ng bakuna sa ibang bansa. Kaya hindi po ito binebenta. Libre ito sa mga Pilipino (We follow-up on request for additional supplies from other countries almost everyday. That’s why these are not for sale. This is free to all Filipinos),” Go added.
The senator also warned that the long arm of the law will eventually catch up on those who take part on vaccine for sale schemes.
He recalled that on July 1, a nurse working in a hospital in Manila was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) over allegations of selling COVID-19 vaccines. The local government denied that the doses purportedly being sold were from its inventory.
The city government has asked the hospital to probe the incident and pursue administrative charges against the nurse. It was later lerned that the arrested nurse was not part of the team that manages COVID-19 immunizations.
“Mananagot po kayo. Aabutan din ng karma ‘yung mga nagbebenta (You will be held liable. Those who are selling illegally will also face their karma),” the lawmaker stressed.
Senators also urged local leaders to ensure that the vaccines will reach those they are intended for, particularly medical frontliners who need them the most.
Local chief executives, he also said, should also prioritize economic frontliners, especially those working in the airports, in the rollout of the vaccines within their jurisdictions.