By Deighton Acuin

PHOTO: Radyo Inquirer

To allay fears for the upcoming coronavirus vaccination program, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Thursday he would get vaccinated publicly in support of the government’s program.

Sotto said the public needs to be assured for the efficiency and safety of the vaccines, adding the “only way to calm a doubting nation is if its leaders take the lead.”

He also called on government officials to “step in” and help to convince the public in order to participate the vaccine rollout program, saying the executive’s information drive “has been a failure.”

“Lead by example. Iyan ang gusto kong gawin. Kung makikita ng ating mga kababayan na handa ang kanilang mga lider na magpabakuna sa kabila ng malawakang pagdududa kung ang mga bakuna ba ay epektibo o hindi, malamang ay ma-engganyo ang nakararami na makilahok sa vaccination program ng Malakanyang,” Sotto said in a statement.

“Hanggang ngayon ay punong-puno pa rin ng alinlangan ang ating mga kababayan kung epektibo nga ba ang mga binibiling bakuna ng Department of Health. Marami pa rin ang nagdadalawang-isip kung sila ba ay magpapabakuna o hindi,” Sotto added.

Malacañang earlier said that President Rodrigo Duterte will receive his coronavirus shots privately.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte’s decision was final amid calls for the Chief Executive to get vaccinated publicly.

“Sabi niya nga, sa puwet siya sa magpapasaksak, so hindi pwede na public,” Roque earlier said.


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