Palace: COVID-19 vaccination for Christmas bonus legal

Malacañang said Tuesday that requiring COVID-19 vaccination for employees to receive their Christmas bonus is legal.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque was referring to the policy of the Cebu City government granting P20,000 Christmas bonus to each employee as announced by Acting Mayor Michael Rama, provided that the employees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

"Wala po akong nakikitang pagkakamali diyan kasi Christmas bonus po ang pinag-uusapan. Hindi naman po requirement ng batas na magbigay ng Christmas bonus (There is nothing wrong with mandating COVID-19 for the recipients of the Christmas bonus because our laws do not require the grant of Christmas bonus)," Roque said.

"What our laws require for government workers is provision of 13th and 14th month pay. Granting Christmas bonus is discretionary, and as such, requiring a COVID-19 vaccine for that as an incentive is allowed)," Roque added.

Likewise, Roque said the Metro Manila Council's proposal of mandating COVID-19 vaccination for sellers in Christmas bazaars is also welcome.

"Mandating COVID-19 vaccine among their ranks is a matter of general welfare. This is a valid exercise of [the state's] police power," Roque added.

At least 29.8 million Filipinos are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of November 8.

The government is eyeing to vaccinate 80% of its 109 million population by May 9, 2022. -Llanesca T. Panti/NB, GMA News