Duterte defends Sinopharm jab but asks China to stop shipment of firm's COVID-19 vaccines

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday night defended his inoculation with a shot of Chinese firm Sinopharm's COVID-19 vaccine but at the same time ordered the withdrawal from the Philippines of the China-made doses.

In his weekly talk to the people, the Chief Executive claimed that the vaccination was "legal" because it was covered by the Food and Drug Administration's compassionate use permit.

"Ganito yan, we are sorry that we commit the things that you are criticizing us for, we accept responsibility. Ako mismo nagpaturok. It is the decision of my doctor. Anyway, it's my life kung anong ano nila yung how would I... yung concerns nila about orders," Duterte said.

"Just before this meeting started, I had a talk with Ambassador, ang mga experts nagsabi, 'Wala pa ito, hindi dumaan na examination sa atin.' Ang binigay ko ay compassionate use, which is really illegal excuse to have the compassionate use," he added.

"Ibig sabihin magamit mo compassionate kaya lang, maybe it is not acceptable to them (critics) but it's legal actually, when the government allowed  it for compassionate use that in itself is an authority for people to be injected. Pero kakaunti lang naturukan nito," he further said.

Despte defending the use of Sinopharm, the 76-year-old leader asked the Chinese ambassador Huang Xilian to cancel the shipping of over 1,000 of the China-made vaccines.

"Here's the deal, sinabi ko kay ambassador... sabi ko tanggalin mo na lang. You withdraw all Sinopharm vaccines. All 1,000 of them. 'Wag ka na magdala ng Sinopharm dito para wala ng gulo, sabi ko bigay mo na lang sa'kin Sinovac,"  Duterte said.

The Fod and Drug Administration has said Duterte's vaccination on Monday night was covered by the compassionate special permit.

About two to three companies have asked the FDA to grant  emergency use authorization (EUA) to Sinopharm vaccines.

But the companies have yet to submit requirements to the FDA to grant EUA to the China-made vaccines.

In December last year, Duterte revealed that members of the Presidential Security Group who were inoculated with unregistered Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine doses.

PSG commander Brigadier General Jesus Durante III  confirmed Duterte's disclosure, saying that the security group members inoculated themselves with Sinopharm.

The FDA which is investigating the PSG's procurement of the Sinopharm doses has yet to receive any information from the unit, said FDA director general Dr. Eric Domingo.

The FDA only issued a compassionate use authority for the Sinopharm vaccine in February. —NB, GMA News