The Office of the Vice President (OVP) dismissed on Wednesday, August 1, as false social media posts that vaccination schedules in San Pedro, Laguna had been cancelled to give way to its Vaccine Express project last weekend.
Various posts circulated online that Vice President Leni Robredo’s initiative was meant to claim credit for the vaccination drive initiated by the San Pedro city government.
In a post on her official Facebook page, Robredo said she was saddened by proliferation of fake news to smear her program that aims to help local government units (LGUs) in its vaccine rollout amid the surge in COVID-19 cases.
“Nakakadismaya na sa panahong dapat (It’s frustrating in a time that we should be) all hands on deck tayo, pinipilit pang itulak ang panglalait at pangmamaliit sa mga nais lamang tumulong (they try to insult and undermine those who want to help),” she said.
The OVP’s Vaccine Express, held in San Pedro, Laguna from August 28 to 29, was able to inoculate 4,457 individuals. This was only open to those who belong to A2, A3, and A5 categories.
Robredo’s office provided the system and manpower such as volunteer medical workers to support the LGU on its vaccination drive. Since the OVP has no access to vaccines, these were provided by the local government.
READ: Robredo’s Vax Express to give 5,000 COVID-19 jabs in Laguna
But a Facebook user posted a photo containing the comment stating that the vaccination schedules of A4 residents in the city were cancelled to give way to the Vaccine Express.
“A4's vaccine schedule has been canceled here in San Pedro Laguna to give way to VP's project Vaccine Express so the credit goes to them again. Salamat daw (thank you, apparently) VP,” the comment read.
“VP Leni Robredo ah nagrebrand lang pala kayo ng efforts ng LGU (VP Leni Robredo just rebranded the efforts of LGU) with matching sariling (own) tarpaulin. Noice (sic)!,” another post said with hashtags #campaignmode and #thankyouLGU.
The vice president denied these social media posts, saying that these are just fake online information being spread by unscrupulous individuals.
“Kawalan rin ito ng respeto sa napakaraming (This also shows lack of respect to a
lot of) volunteers at (and) partners para sa mga vaccine drives gaya nito (for the vaccine drives like this),” she added.
Robredo reminded again the public to be more discerning of the information they read on social media platforms.