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DFA: No strings attached in vaccine deals
By NICOLE-ANNE C. LAGRIMAS,GMA NewsThe Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Friday that Philippine transactions with international partners to secure COVID-19 vaccines did not have political strings attached to them.
"Allow me to convey the assurances that our transactions on vaccine supply with global partners at the bilateral and multilateral levels do not have strings attached or bearing any quid pro quo of any sovereign territorial consideration," Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Eric Gerardo Tamayo said at a Senate hearing.
"We can assure that in the particular case of the donation from China, at no time did the China side even hint at tying the vaccine donation to any consideration. Vaccine diplomacy would at best be an expression of goodwill and solidarity with the Philippines during this time of the pandemic."
Tamayo added that the COVAX Facility, a global collaboration intended to guarantee equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, may also be considered a donation mechanism to ensure the vaccines get to lower and middle-income countries.
The DFA said China planned to donate half a million doses of COVID-19 vaccines
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Earlier on Friday, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said that the Philippines should "set aside differences" with China on the West Philippine Sea as the world works together to end the pandemic.
Pressed by Senator Risa Hontiveros, Galvez, a retired military general, clarified that "[w]e will not compromise our stake."
China has been criticized for its incursions into the West Philippine Sea despite the Permanent Court of Arbitration's invalidation of its massive claims in the South China Sea.
President Rodrigo Duterte initially set aside the arbitral ruling over warmer relations with Beijing but vowed to raise it at the right time during his term.
Critics have urged the administration to assert the Philippines' rights within its exclusive economic zone in the resource-rich waters. — DVM, GMA News