MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año warned local government units (LGUs) yesterday to look out for personnel who may be involved in selling vaccine slots and not to tolerate vaccine line jumpers in their jurisdiction.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will prosecute to the full extent of the law anyone involved in vaccine scams or sales, said Año, as authorities continue their investigations on the scheme.
“What’s important is that we’ve warned our LGUs that probably some people or employees are thinking this way, so now they should observe caution,” he said in Filipino in an interview on dzBB radio.
Although no arrests have been made so far, Año said investigations are ongoing and that developments are expected in the next days.
“If anyone is caught in the act, we’ll surely prosecute them. The running joke is that instead of giving them a shot of the vaccine, they’d get the lethal injection,” he said.
The DILG chief said LGUs must ensure that the system of vaccination is strict against line jumpers and the entry of unauthorized persons at vaccination centers. “It should be fair to all,” he said.
He said local officials should be proactive to ensure that there will be no line jumpers or patronage politics in the government’s national vaccination program.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra yesterday said those found to be engaged in “vaccine slot sale” may be criminally charged with violating the Food and Drugs Act.
In an interview over dzBB, Guevarra said the crime could also qualify as “swindling” since it is a fraudulent act, and the person could face additional charges under the Price Act.
However, the buyer of the vaccine slot faces no criminal liability.
“If you will look at the FDA Law, there is no penalty imposed on the person who voluntarily agreed to (be vaccinated) because that is his or her body, that is his or her own decision if he or she will use the vaccine or not,” Guevarra said.
In this scheme, it is really the one promoting and selling the vaccine slots who would be penalized, said Guevarra.
So far, one Cyle Bonifacio has surrendered in Mandaluyong City and investigators are still checking how the scheme works, who it involves and to what extent it operates