Cabinet Secretary and Acting Presidential Spokesperson Karlo Nograles said the Palace respects the opinion of presidential daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio when it comes to the non-discrimination of unvaccinated persons against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Reports Tuesday quoted her as saying that Filipinos who refused to take the jab should not be discriminated for the simple reason that government gave them a choice.
"Kung hindi natin sila binigyan ng freedom na pumiling hindi magpabakuna, then, pwede lang talaga na ikulong sila diyan sa kanilang bahay. Pero binigyan natin sila ng freedom, so bakit sila pahirapan (If we didn't give them the freedom not to get vaccinated, then we can restrict them in their homes. But we gave them this freedom, so why are we making things difficult for them)," Duterte-Carpio was quoted as saying.
"Yes, of course, we respect the opinion of Mayor Inday Sara Duterte," Nograles said during a virtual press conference Tuesday, Jan. 11 wherein he was asked to react to the vice presidential hopeful's statements.
"On the other hand, the President is only trying to protect the unvaccinated from harm. Nakikita naman natin sa datos na iyong kapag unvaccinated, mas mataas po ang chances na magiging severe or critical COVID iyong mga unvaccinated (Based on the data, those who are unvaccinated have high chances of contraction a severe or critical case of COVID)," he said.
"So as father of the nation, the President is only trying to protect the unvaccinated and this is for the common good," stressed Nograles.
For weeks now, President Duterte, 76, has been pitching for the restricted movement of unvaccinated individuals, saying they should remain at home to avoid infecting others of COVID-19.
The Chief Executive said it's up to the barangay chiefs to determine who the unvaccinated persons are in their respective jurisdictions and ensure that they don't leave home.
Nograles earlier reckoned that this instruction from the elder Duterte was nationwide in scope.
Duterte-Carpio, the eldest daughter of the President, is enjoying high ratings in recent voter preference surveys.
The Philippines is currently grappling with a ferocious new surge in COVID-19 cases that's supposedly being fueled by the Omicron variant.