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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Duterte warns of theft, graft charges for illegal sale of COVID shots, vaccine slots

Duterte warns of theft, graft charges for illegal sale of COVID shots, vaccine slots

Published Jun 1, 2021 02:28 am

The coronavirus vaccines are distributed for free in the country.

Las Pinas City residents wait for their turn to get vaccinated at a vaccination hub inside a shopping mall on May 30, 2021. (Ali Vicoy/Manila Bulletin)

President Duterte made the assurance after warning about the possible charges against those selling coronavirus vaccines as well as vaccination slots to the public.

"All vaccines of our people are given for free, libre ‘yan. Huwag kayong magbayad. Wala kayong gastusin niyan. Pumunta lang kayo doon sa nagbabakuna at babakunahan ka libre (Do not pay for the vaccines. You don't have to spend anything. Just go to the vaccination site and you will be vaccinated for free)," the President said in a televised address Monday, May 31.

"Selling vaccination slot goes against the principle of equitable vaccine distribution," he added.

According to the President, any person involved in the illegal sale of COVID vaccines may face theft charges. A government official engaged in such illegal activity could also be slapped with violations of the anti-graft law.

"Ano ba ang krimen mo? I am sure that iyong nagpapabili well, one is theft, kasi kuku --- nanakawin niya ‘yong ibibigay niya (What's your crime? I'm sure those who will sell vaccines is well, one is theft because the person will be stealing the one he will give another)," he said.

"Second is anti-graft and corrupt practices law if you are a government official," he added.

Duterte, a former prosecutor, has also directed the Department of Justice "to determine what specific charges can be made" against those involved in the illegal vaccine sale.

In the early part of his speech, the President ordered authorities to facilitate a "pro-rata" or equitable distribution of the coronavirus vaccines outside Metro Manila before the vaccines expire. He said the vaccines should be distributed to various provinces in Visayas and Mindanao as more vaccines arrive in the country.

Duterte suggested that local government units could use technology and other systems to reduce the long vaccination line and speed up the process.

"The bulk of the people of the NCR mayroon na ho silang bakuna (have their vaccines). Kung magdating ‘yong sunod na marami, eh (Once more vaccines arrive) you divide it amongst the local government units. Sana magawa ito sa madaling panahon (I hope it can be done as soon as possible)," he said.

Related Tags

President Duterte vaccines covid-19 Department of Justice (DOJ) graft for sale vaccination slots theft
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