No politics in Senate vaccine probe, Lacson tells Galvez

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Friday refuted vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr.'s alleged remark that some senators are politicizing the government efforts in procuring  COVID-19 vaccines.

"Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. virtually accused the Senate or at least some senators who asked questions during last Monday's hearing of, quoting his own words, 'demonizing vaccine developers or hurting the ongoing negotiations of the government with vaccine manufacturers and suppliers apparently referring to Sinovac," Lacson said in a manifestation as the Senate Committee of the Whole resumed its hearing on the government's COVID-19 vaccination issue.

"Let me assure Secretary Galvez, walang pulitika sa pagdinig na ito. Katulad din ng isinagawa natin pagdinig kamakailan lamang sa pang-aabusong ginawa sa pondo ng PhilHealth," he added.

Lacson denied the allegation that he has other agenda linked to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III whom he has heavily criticized in the past.

The senator defended that the upper chamber was just exercising "check and balance" in conducting the inquiry.

"Let me assure Secretary Galvez, walang pulitika sa pagdinig na ito. Katulad din ng isinagawa natin pagdinig kamakailan lamang sa pangaabusong ginawa sa pondo ng PhilHealth," Lacson said.

"It is incumbent upon us to exercise our mandate to demand transparency and accountability from our chief implementers on how they use or plan to use public funds... Tagatanong lang tayo Mr. President, ang mga resource person ang nagbibigya ng mga datos na minsan ay mgakakasalungat at magulo," he added.

Lacson was among other senators who have previously questioned the alleged preference of the government for the COVID-19 vaccine developed by China's Sinovac.

Galvez, on the other hand, said the government is doing everything to gain access to more vaccine manufacturers given the immense supply limitations. —KBK, GMA News