Galvez on vaccine overpricing claims: Minsan nakakasakit po kayo

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. admitted Thursday that he got hurt over the accusations thrown against him regarding the alleged overpricing of COVID-19 vaccines.

At a Laging Handa press briefing, Galvez was asked for his reaction on the call of Akbayan Chair Emeritus Loretta Ann "Etta" Rosales for him to resign over speculations surrounding the vaccine deals.

He said while he respected Rosales' opinion, she should not cast judgement especially since she is not privy to the negotiations between the Philippine government and the pharmaceutical companies.

"Ginagalang ko po 'yung ano po ni Ma'am Etta Rosales kasi magkakilala naman po kami pero dapat hindi muna siya mang-judge kasi 'yung lahat po ng vaccine na nabili po natin ay talaga pong binigay po at cost, ang guidance po ng WHO [World Health Organization] sa mga manufacturer ay wala pong tinatawag na commercialization, no profit, magkaroon po ng equitable access... 'yun po ay kasunduan lahat ng manufacturers that they will provide access to poor countries like us," he said.

"Ginagalang ko po 'yung opinyon ninyo pero minsan nakakasakit po ng damdamin, wala po kayong alam sa negosasyon, napakahirap po ng negosasyon na ginagawa namin. Talagang ang ginagawa po namin ay binabagsak po namin ang presyo," he added.

According to Senate President Vicente Sotto III, he saw the documents showing that the vaccine negotiations with pharmaceutical firms indeed involved non-disclosure agreements.

Lawmakers have repeatedly questioned why Galvez was mum as regards the prices of the vaccines.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier directed Galvez to disclose to Sotto the details of the vaccine deals which the government entered into.

Galvez, also the chief implementer of the government's effort against COVID-19, said the Philippines could lose 148 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines it has secured if he violates the confidentiality disclosure agreements he signed with manufacturers. -MDM, GMA News