Acosta says Duterte knew of her decision not to get COVID-19 vaccine

Public Attorney's Office (PAO) chief Persida Acosta said she had asked permission from President Rodrigo Duterte to defer her COVID-19 vaccination.

According to a report on "24 Oras" on Wednesday, Acosta said she asked permission in May last year and Duterte agreed.

Acosta made the remark after Duterte earlier in the week took a swipe at her over the vaccination of children against COVID-19.

"For those who are against the vaccination of our children, including PAO chief Persida Acosta, kung ayaw mong magpabakuna, ikaw na lang. 'Wag mo na idamay ang mga bata [if you don't want to get vaccinated, that's your choice. Leave the children out of it]," Duterte said in his weekly Talk to the People.

Acosta, meanwhile, said she believes that Duterte did not chastise her because he only read the suggestion of two Cabinet members.

Earlier, a petition was filed before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court to stop the health department from vaccinating children aged 5 to 11 against the coronavirus.

The petitioners, parents of children aged 5 to 11, were represented by the PAO.

Acosta said the parents want to stop the inoculation of their children to protect them from "undue experimentation." — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News