Medialdea tells critics: Just wait for vaccine, good results will follow

Filipinos who criticize the government’s procurement of vaccines against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) simply need to be patient and they will see good results, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said Wednesday.

In a briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang, Medialdea assured the public that their money is safe with vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.

“We know that this will be properly spent because we are following a system which was earlier shown by Secretary Galvez,” he said.

“Gusto ko lang pong umapela sa mga bumabatikos sa pag-aaral natin sa pagbili ng vaccine. Maghintay naman po sana sila. Atin na pong nasubukan si Secretary Galvez when we started addressing the pandemic,” Medialdea added.

The Palace earlier said the Sinovac vaccine remains the government top pick despite allegations of bribery surrounding a Chinese firm.

Sinovac has been accused of engaging in bribery to hasten the approval of its vaccines.

The Food and Drug Administration later vowed not to allow corrupt practices in the country’s scramble to secure COVID-19 vaccines.

Galvez said the first Philippines’ COVID-19 vaccine shot would likely be administered by March 2021.

According to data from the Department of Health, the Philippines has logged 452,988 infections as of Wednesday afternoon. -- BAP, GMA News