Duterte backs Galvez on non-disclosure of COVID-19 vaccine prices

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday backed vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. on the non-disclosure of the prices of the COVID-19 vaccines that the Philippines will buy for its mass inoculation program.

In his weekly briefing with COVID-19 response officials, Duterte said Galvez should stick to his “game plan” for the rollout of coronavirus vaccines despite the doubts lawmakers raised at congressional investigations.

Lawmakers have also asked for the prices of the vaccines that the Philippines will buy.

"One thing is certain, you cannot divulge the contract price agreed upon," Duterte said during his weekly public address. "Nagka-canvass lang 'yan."

Galvez during the briefing claimed that through his negotiations with manufacturers, the government saved $700 million in the purchase of vaccines. 

He said his team saved that much as they were able to bring down the offer prices by about half.

“Noong kinompute ko po lahat ng mga brand, lumalabas po na naka-save po tayo ng $700 million. Meaning, ‘yong kaniyang offer price naibaba po natin ng halos kalahati kaya po ang nangyari po ‘yong dati po, ‘yong plano po namin ni Secretary Duque na 70 million doses, umangot po ng 148 million doses,” Galvez said.

“Doon po napakita na maganda po ang presyo natin na nakuha. Halos lahat po ng prices, advantage po tayo,” he added.

Duterte supported Galvez in his procurement plan.

"I’m telling now General Galvez: ‘Yung game plan niya, sundin niya. With or without the investigation, proceed and implement what we plan to do,” Duterte said in his weekly national address.

“Nevermind about the investigations.  Kasi mas lalong matagalan tayo.”

Both houses of Congress are probing the government’s procurement of COVID-19 vaccines after Malacañang expressed preference for China’s Sinovac jab despite its lower efficacy rate and higher market price compared to competition. 

Some lawmakers have also raised their eyebrows at government officials’ refusal to reveal the cost of the vaccines procured so far.

Defending Galvez, Duterte said it was an “industry practice” to keep mum on prices.

“It’s a practice of the industry na yang presyo, bulong bulong muna kasi ganitong klaseng pandemic… paunahan. Kung sino yung may pera, mauna mabigyan. Kung sino yung gumawa ng sariling bakuna, natural, maunang mabigyan ang mga tao nila,” he said.

Galvez also maintained that he was obliged to honor the confidentiality disclosure agreements he signed with vaccine manufacturers.

“We respect the agreement [kasi] mawawalan po tayo ng integrity at saka credibility sa mga companies… Forever na mawawala po ‘yung supply ng vaccine,” he said.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III also urged the public to trust in the government’s procurement plan despite the doubts raised.

“While kami po ay nasasakupan no’ng CDA, hindi po talaga kami puwedeng magsalita kung magkano ‘yung mga figures o mga halaga,” he said.

“‘Yun lang po ang masasabi ko, talagang nagpupursigi po ang inyong mga opisyal na maging maayos po lahat ng ating negosasyon.”

The Philippines has so far secured 30 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by India’s Serum Institute, 25 million from Sinovac, and nearly 20 million from British-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca.

The country has logged over 502,000 infections as of Monday afternoon.—NB/LDF, GMA News