Duterte: I have money for COVID-19 vaccine

October 15, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday night that the government has the money to purchase the vaccine against coronavirus disease for the Filipinos.

In a televised message, Duterte also said that Russia is eyeing to put up in the country a pharmaceutical plant.

"I just had a talk with the outgoing ambassador of Russia. We had a serious one-on-one talk and he said that Russia is coming in...and they want to establish here. They will put up a pharmaceutical plan and vaccine will also come in," he said, referring to Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev.

Aside from Russia, he reiterated that he also trusts China on the vaccine that it has been developing.

But he is also amenable to have vaccine from western countries, such as the United States.

Once the vaccine is available, Duterte said he wants all the 113 million Filipinos to have COVID-19 vaccine.

"This, I can assure you again, I have already found the money, I have the money already for the vaccine. But I still have to look for more money because you know, there are 113 million Filipinos and to me, ideally, all should have the vaccine, without exception, all," he said.

Duterte, however, reiterated that the priority for the vaccine would be the poorest Filipinos who are included in the list of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the security forces, such as the military and policemen.

"I need soldiers and policemen who are ready healthy and no COVID. They are really vital to the security of the state for which reason they should be first also," he said.

As of October 14, the Department of Health said the confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines hit 346,536 with 293,860 recoveries and 6,449 deaths. Celerina Monte/DMS