Sotto convinced by Galvez on CDAs of COVID-19 vaccines deals

Amid questions by lawmakers on the price of coronavirus vaccines procured by the government, Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Wednesday night confirmed that vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. is obligated to keep mum on vaccine costs.

“We were able to see all the necessary documents and proposed agreements. Indeed there are non-disclosure agreements mandated by the pharma companies internationally. I will inform our colleagues on the important facts asap,” he told reporters.

“Secretary Galvez assures us through the agreements that there will be no room for overpricing by any person, entity or group as all payments will go directly to the pharma companies from the lending institution who will also set in place proper safeguards,” Sotto added.

He added that the Senate inquiry into the government’s COVID-19 vaccination program will still resume on Friday.

“The hearing will push through and hopefully we will be able to elicit enough information to be able to convince our countrymen that the vaccines no matter what brand will be necessary, for us to defeat the virus,” he said.

The development followed President Rodrigo Duterte’s order for Galvez to disclose to Sotto the details of the vaccine deals that the government entered into. 

Senators have repeatedly questioned why Galvez refuses to reveal the prices of the vaccines, with Senator Panfilo Lacson saying he suspected an “attempt to overprice” the jab developed by China’s Sinovac. 

Galvez explained that the Philippines could lose the 148 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines it has secured so far if he violates the confidentiality disclosure agreements (CDA) he signed with manufacturers. 

Duterte also backed his vaccine czar, saying it was “industry practice” to keep silent on prices. 

The House of Representatives earlier tacked vaccine prices in an executive session. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News