Senators buck discrimination vs. unvaccinated Pinoys amid DOTr’s ‘no vax, no ride’ policy

At least three senators have expressed opposition on what they perceive as  discrimination against unvaccinated Filipinos following the implementation of the Department of Transportation's (DOTr) “No Vaccination, No Ride” policy.

In a statement, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the administration should not “discriminate” the unvaccinated commuters, instead it should explore alternative ways to convince the public of the COVID-19 vaccines.

“There should be no discrimination among the riding public. Instead of barring them from riding public transports, DOTr should come up with brighter ideas on how to protect the unvaxxed from the deadly virus. For example, in trains or in PUBs, designated coaches or buses should be designated for riders who have not been jabbed,” Sotto said.

He emphasized that the government should also serve those who opted not to get their immunization yet.

“There are many options, but to destabilize the means of transportation of our people should not be the only option. Think. Explore. There are plenty of other ways to fight the pandemic," he added.

Opposition Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan likewise pointed out that the government should uphold the public’s “freedom of choice.”

“Huwag pwersahin o takutin o idaan sa sapilitan ang unvaxxed. May freedom of choice. Incentivize hindi penalize ang dapat,” he said in a separate text message to reporters.

(Let us not force or intimidate the unvaccinated. There is a freedom of choice. The government should incentivize not penalize people who are yet to get their vaccines.

Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, meanwhile, reiterated his stance on the vaccination of the willing, saying the government’s vaccination program must center on the advocacy to protect oneself.

“‘Yung ayaw magpabakuna dahil sa medical or religious reason o wala lang talagang bilib sa mga bagong COVID-19 vaccines na under [emergency]l use authorization, huwag pilitin na maniwala sa COVID-19 vaccines,” he said.

(We should not force those who don't want to get vaccinated because of medical or religious reason even those who were not yet convinced of the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines which are under the emergency use authorization, to believe on the vaccines.)

“‘Wag gipitin o pahirapan o pahirapin pa lalo ang buhay ng ayaw magpabakuna. Tandaan natin na ang bakunado ay puwede din magkasakit ng COVID-19 at maging carrier ng virus din. Wala namang batas na ginawang mandatory ang COVID-19 vaccine dahil kung mayroon man mapasa na batas na ganito, ito ay unconstitutional sa palagay ko,” he noted.

(Let us not force those who don't want to get vaccinated. We should remember that the vaccinated could still contract COVID-19 and become carriers of the virus. There is no law that makes the COVID-19 vaccination mandatory and even if we pass one, I think that would be unconstitutional.)

Pimentel likewise opposed the listing of unvaccinated individuals in each barangay, saying this is a violation of a person’s constitutional rights.

“Pati pa ba ‘yun ‘homebody’ na hindi bakunado laban sa COVID-19 ay hahanapin pa at ililista para lang maramdaman niya na wanted siya at para bagang mayroon siyang batas na nilabag? Homebody na nga at hindi na nga lumalabas ng bahay, Bakit pa kailangan hanapin at ilista na parang kriminal? Listing is shaming. Bawal yan. Violation of constitutional rights,” he said.

(Even those "homebody" who are not yet vaccinated against the COVID-19 will be enlisted as if they are in the wanted list because they violated a law. There are already inside their houses. Why do we need to search for them and enlist them  as if they are being treated as criminals? Listing is shaming. That's prohibited. Violation of constitutional rights.)

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has also recently ordered the enlistment of unvaccinated individuals, in line with President Rodrigo Duterte's order to restrict the mobility of those who are not yet immunized against COVID-19.

On the other hand, the DOTr found an ally in Senator Grace Poe, saying she understands the DOTr policy as most of those who contracted the respiratory disease were unvaccinated.

“[Data] have shown, that those that were fully vaccinated were less likely to have severe symptoms of COVID infection. Majority of those that have died or have been hospitalized due to COVID were unvaccinated. I can understand the policy of the DOTR in order to protect the riding public. We should encourage everyone to get vaccinated unless they have a legitimate underlying health reason not to,” she said.

On Wednesday afternoon, the DOTr refuted criticisms on their recent policy against unvaccinated individuals, saying this was neither anti-poor nor anti-life.

“Mas anti-poor at anti-life kung mahahawa at makakahawa ang ating mga kababayan dahil sila ay hindi bakunado,” Transportation Assistant Secretary Goddess Libiran said in a statement.

(It’s more anti-poor and anti-life if our fellow citizens get infected or got infected because they are not vaccinated.)

“Severe COVID infections caused by non-vaccination result to undue burden on our health care system,” Libiran said.

The Philippines on Wednesday logged 32,246 fresh COVID-19 infections, bringing the nationwide tally to 3,058,634. — RSJ, GMA News