By Deighton Acuin

PHOTO: Philippines Report

The Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Tuesday said the administration under President Rodrigo Duterte spends more time attacking Vice President Leni Robredo than addressing the current problems in the Philippines.

OVP Spokesperson Barry Gutierrez made the statement in response to allegations that Robredo is responsible for increasing doubts about the COVID-19 vaccine developed by China-based Sinovac Biotech.

Gutierrez said amid the allegations, the Vice President and the office will continue to do their job.

“This administration spends more time attacking Leni Robredo than responding to the real, urgent problems of our people and nation,” Gutierrez said in a statement.

“Kulelat tayo sa pagkuha ng bakuna? Awayin si Leni Robredo. Mabagal ang pagtugon sa bagyo at baha? Siraan si Leni Robredo. Milyon milyon ang nawalan ng trabaho? Insultuhin si Leni Robredo.”

“Tapos sila daw ang “hindi namumulitika?” Sa kanila na yang puro paninisi, itutuloy na lang namin ang trabaho,” Gutierrez added.

In his weekly Talk To The People, Duterte told Robredo to “just maybe shut up” about Sinovac vaccines after the official gave her support to some healthcare workers calling for Health Technology Assessment Council’s (HTAC) review.

The HTAC, an advisory body created under the Universal Health Care Act, reviews the cost and the ethical and community impact of health technologies — such as medicines, vaccines, or health devices — that will be introduced to the public.

The Philippines first received 600,000 doses of CoronaVac as a donation from the Chinese government, and a million more doses are set to arrive in the country on March 21.


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