Isko Moreno slams senators encouraging use of unregistered COVID-19 vaccines

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Monday criticized "some senators" who said it is a person's right to receive COVID-19 vaccines even without approval from the Food and Drug and Administration (FDA).

Interviewed on Unang Balita, Moreno pointed out that these senators should not be encouraging "illegal activities," in this case the use of unregistered vaccines.

“Walang presidente, walang mayor, walang senador na magsasabi na hindi puwede mag-FDA. Hindi po, may batas po,” Moreno said.

“Kaya 'yung mga tolongges na ‘yan at saka ‘yung ilang senador diyan nagsasabi na hindi kailangan ng FDA, eh kailangan po. Huwag nating hihikayatin’ yung mga illegal,” he added.

Moreno did not mention any names, but on Sunday Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa became viral for expressing his willingness to get a COVID-19 vaccine that has no FDA approval but has high efficacy rate, saying he has to decide for his own life.

"FDA-approved o hindi, buhay ko ito, wala akong pakialam diyan sa FDA kung i-approve nila o hindi yan basta buhay ko nakasalalay, I have to decide for my own life," the neophyte senator said.

According to Dela Rosa, the FDA approval is for "formality" only, noting that the vaccine may have been approved for use already from its country of origin.

Moreno made the statement as he addressed the alleged unauthorized vaccination in Binondo, Manila. He vowed to present the perpetrators behind the illegal activity to the public once they are caught.

“Yang mga tolongges na 'yan, 'pag natyempuhan ko 'yan, ihaharap ko sa inyo. Awa ng Diyos, wala eh. Inaabatan namin,” he said.

“Simula nang nabalitaan ko 'yan ng first day, sa totoo lang, ako mismo nanggigigil eh. Unang-una panloloko 'yan,” he added.

According to Moreno, there is no assurance that the vaccines being offered with a price of around P20,000 to P30,000 are authentic. —KBK, GMA News