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Malacañang told members of the political opposition to wait for the elections next year to see if the people will really reject the candidates of the administration.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said there should be an international agreement to have a standard certificate so it will not be difficult for countries to authenticate coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination cards.

Malacañang was not keen on rescinding the order to require the public to wear face shields outdoors, saying that wearing it along with face masks while doing physical distancing was almost equivalent to getting vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Malacañang believed that the Philippines’ vote favoring a probe into alleged human rights violations and abuses in Gaza should not have anything to do with the country’s “excellent” bilateral relations with Israel.

Malacañang urged the public to first wait and see whether or not the US will really send vaccines to the Philippines before asking how this will affect President Duterte’s decision regarding the VFA.

“Let’s veer on the safer side.”

Malacañang confirmed that President Duterte will meet Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia in the Palace to discuss coronavirus (COVID-19) protocols for Filipinos returning to the province.

Vice President Leni Robredo believed that President Duterte is being fed lies about her after no other than Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque tried to peddle “fake news” that she volunteered to appear in an infomercial with the Chief Executive to address vaccine hesitancy.

Despite the downward trend in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, Malacañang said that there are still a lot of factors that should be considered before restrictions in the National Capital Region (NCR) bubble area can be further relaxed.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque agreed that there should be more Philippine General Hospital (PGH) but reminded that running the facility is funded by the University of the Philippines (UP) and not the Department of Health (DOH).

Malacañang said that President Duterte’s approach on the issue of the West Philippine Sea has been working since no part of the country’s territory was taken by China since he took office.

President Duterte was still assessing if Vice President Leni Robredo’s participation will really be helpful to boost the public’s confidence in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines, Malacañang said.

Malacañang expressed confidence that the rehabilitation of the war-torn city of Marawi can be completed by the end of President Duterte’s term.

President Duterte is still undecided whether he will pursue the abrogation of the country’s Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States of America (USA) or forge a new one.

Malacañang said those proven to be selling coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines and slots in vaccination areas may face prison time as these acts are illegal under Philippine laws.

Office of the Vice President (OVP) Spokesman Ibarra Gutierrez said that Vice President Leni Robredo has always been open to working with the administration but pointed out that it was Malacañang’s problem if it cannot set aside politics.

The government’s pandemic task force has approved the request of Philippine Swimming Inc. (PSI) to host the 2021 Swimming National Selection Meet.

Malacañang said the public is still free to refuse to be vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in vaccination sites if they prefer other brands.