Vaccine slot for sale ‘a scam,’ says Mandaluyong mayor

Mandaluyong Mayor Menchie Abalos on Tuesday said the alleged sale of vaccine slots may be a scam as the local government imposed strict registration rules in its inoculation program.

According to Ivan Mayrina's report on 24 Oras, a concerned citizen Norman Rabaya bared that his former high school classmate offered him a slot for vaccines.

"He messaged me that he is selling a slot for P15,500 for a Pfizer shot. He is also offering P12,500 per slot for friends," said Rabaya, in mixed Filipino and English.

There were also deposit slips shown as proof that vaccine slots were already sold to other people, Rabaya said.

Rabaya, a Las Piñas resident, said he became suspicious of the act because the vaccine slots being offered to him were from Mandaluyong.

He also opposed the practice because vaccines are supposed to be free and should be given to the priority groups.

"I wish I had asked more when I mentioned that I'm friends with the niece of the vice mayor. He got scared," Rabaya said, partly in Filipino.

Rabaya said he already reported the incident to the police, who refused to disclose the name due to the ongoing investigation.

After Rabaya reported to authorities, his classmate deactivated his social media account.

However, Abalos said they imposed tightened measures in their vaccine registration.

"They can't do that because we have a line list. If you are not registered with MandaVax and you are not in the list then they will ask you to go home and you won't be vaccinated," the mayor explained, in Filipino.

Testing czar Vince Dizon said those behind the illicit sale of vaccine slots should be punished because COVID-19 jabs are free of charge.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, for his part, urged local government units to create ordinances that would impose punishment against those selling vaccine slots.—Consuelo Marquez/LDF, GMA News