Isko signs ordinance vs. sale, distribution, administration of COVID-19 vaccines for profit

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Monday signed an ordinance banning the sale, distribution or administration of COVID-19 vaccines for gain, income or profit, the Manila Public Information Office said.

"Any sale, distribution or administration is not allowed while the country is in a state of public health emergency and without full market authorization issued by the Food and Drug Administration," Moreno said.

Those who will be caught violating the ordinance will be penalized with a fine of P5,000, jail time not exceeding six months, and revocation of business license. 

They will also be banned from doing business in Manila.

The Philippine National Police was tasked to investigate alleged "under the table" selling of COVID-19 vaccines, Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said on Friday.

"The vaccines procured by the government are inoculated at no expense to the individual and cannot be sold," Malaya said in a message.

Some screenshots of supposed "under the table" selling of COVID-19 vaccines have recently gone viral on social media.

PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Ronaldo Olay on Monday said they have already identified some personalities linked to the alleged sale of COVID-19 vaccination slots in several Metro Manila cities.

The investigation is being conducted by the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. —KG, GMA News