By Jennylou Canon

PHOTO: U.S. Embassy in the Philippines

President Rodrigo Duterte tapped the United States of America (USA) for more COVID-19 vaccine supply.

“We have the money. We buy, we don’t ask. We saved money for this event,” Duterte said in his weekly briefing.
Duterte also said that he understands if the US will prioritize its citizens, and that the country is only asking if there are excess doses.

As of August, the US has donated 3.2 million doses of Johnson&Johnson single-dose vaccine, and 3 million doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.