Sellers of vaccines, slots face prosecution – Palace

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday warned those selling COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination slots that they would face criminal charges, and reminded local governments to ensure that the priority list for the inoculation program is strictly followed.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque noted that COVID-19 vaccines are not yet available for commercial use because they have not yet completed their stage 4 clinical trial.

“No vaccine is authorized for commercial use so the vaccines should not be sold. All of them are still under emergency use,” Roque said at a press briefing.

“If you are caught selling vaccines that are not authorized for commercial use, you may be jailed, as provided by the law that created the Food and Drug Administration of the Philippines,” he added.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it has already identified one of the suspects who is now being hunted. The Department of Justice (DOJ) – through the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) – is also investigating the matter.

Roque said those found selling vaccination slots may also be charged for their deceptive practice.

“For those selling slots, it is also prohibited and we can prosecute them for deception because nobody has the right to sell his slot,” he added.

Earlier, Metro Manila Council chairman and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez said he has received reports that some persons are selling COVID-19 jabs and slots in the inoculation program. COVID-19 shots reportedly cost P10,000 to P15,000 depending on the brand. Metro Manila mayors are scheduled to meet this week to discuss the issue.

Roque said so far, no local government is using the vaccines to advance their political ambitions. Local executives, however, have to make sure that the vaccination program is implemented properly, he added.

“We really have to work with barangay captains and mayors on the vaccination plan. The local vaccination drives are implemented by the local government. It just so happened that they are the ones who are occupying the posts,” the Palace spokesman said.

“But I think, it’s a test for them because if they fail, they would be accountable to the people. So they need to do everything to fast-track the inoculation and to follow the order of priority in the vaccination,” he added.

Roque said people with health conditions who have no money to undergo check-up for the required medical certificate may just go to any health center to secure a certificate indicating that they have comorbidities.

“You may also show the prescriptions, the medicines you are taking. The vaccination centers are not that strict on that,” he added.

Offer through social messaging

Meanwhile, PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said based on initial investigation, a suspect in the illegal sale of vaccines had offered his high school friend two brands in exchange for P12,000 to P15,000 through social media messaging.

Eleazar said the suspect was also claiming to have contacts in the city governments of San Juan and Mandaluyong, who could guarantee vaccination slots, even showing deposit slips to prove previous transactions.

“Our CIDG and ACG investigators are now zeroing in on this person, although he has already deactivated all his social media accounts, and we assure the public that he will face the full force of the law for this kind of illegal activity,” Eleazar said in a statement.

In Manila, Mayor Isko Moreno yesterday signed Ordinance No. 8740 banning the sale of COVID-19 vaccines.

“Selling of vaccines is illegal. Profiting from vaccines, whether organization, institution, person of corporation, is prohibited. It’s illegal. It is also illegal for the private sector to deduct from their employees’ salaries the vaccine which the private sector in Manila can give,” Moreno said.

“We really wanted to protect the people especially the poor and employees. Those working in the city of Manila will be protected. Those living in the city of Manila will be protected,” Moreno added.

San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora said an investigation conducted by local government authorities found that the scheme could be a scam.

“Basically for me, it’s an online scam where they are looking for someone to deceive online which is no different with (illicit) online sellers looking for people to (scam),” Zamora said in an interview aired over Teleradyo.

The mayor said when the public information office called the person who reported the vaccine for sale scheme, they were told that the suspect claiming to have connections with local government and access to vaccines agreed to a Zoom call.

But during the call, a different person appeared, which spooked the buyer.

“He immediately felt that there was something wrong. In fact, he said that he regrets not recording the conversation,” Zamora added.

The alleged vaccine-for-sale scheme surfaced over the weekend when concerned citizens posted about the supposed sale of vaccination slots in Mandaluyong and San Juan City, prompting an investigation from several law enforcement agencies.

The PNP appealed to citizens to report similar schemes to authorities.

“(We) would like to reiterate that the COVID-19 vaccination is free and any attempt to engage in selling the vaccines or vaccination slots, or be beneficiaries of these illegal activities, will only put you in trouble,” Eleazar said. – Neil Jayson Servallos, Jose Rodel Clapano, Ghio Ong, Evelyn Macairan