By Deighton Acuin and Archie Villaflores

PHOTO: Presidential Communications

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday wants Vice President Leni Robredo to witness him to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in Malacañang.

In his weekly Talk to the People, Duterte unleashed tirades against Robredo anew after urging him to get inoculated. He accused Robredo of “baiting” him since she suspected him to have already receive COVID-19 shots along with uniformed personnel last year.

“Now, when I get vaccinated here in Malacañang, I want you there. I will tell them that, since I’m old, I will only get half the dose and the other half for you to add protection to your good health,” Duterte said in Filipino.

Duterte reiterated he could not yet receive the available vaccines developed by China-based Sinovac Biotech since it is not recommended for his age.

Sinovac vaccine will only be administered to clinically healthy individuals with between 18 to 59 years of age. The Chief Executive will turn 77 next month.

Duterte then accused the Vice President of wanting to be “relevant” after calling for further vaccine assessment.

“Sometimes you take an idiotic stance. They deserve the best,” Duterte said, referring to the accusation that the government was insisting on giving the CoronaVac despite its lower efficacy compared to other COVID-19 vaccines.

“I would give them the worst? I won’t leave the frontliners behind,” he added, speaking partly in Filipino.


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