Vaccine line jumpers: 13 local execs and counting

MANILA, Philippines — Thirteen local government officials have been summoned by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for allegedly jumping the vaccination line.

Eleven mayors, a governor and a councilor reportedly received their COVID-19 jabs ahead of those in the priority list.

DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing said they are still verifying reports that more local chief executives were vaccinated ahead of the priority list, including barangay captains.

“Puwede ko sabihin na and counting kasi meron pa kami nare-receive ngayon na mga reports and pictures na nagpabakuna na mga lokal na opisyales. Ine-evaluate lang namin kasi may mga kasamang kapitan,” Densing said.

Those summoned are Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong, Parañaque Councilor Jackie Bustamante-Mendoza and Mayors Elanito Peña of Minglanilla in Cebu, Victoriano Torres (Alicia, Bohol), Virgilio Menden (San Miguel, Bohol), Arturo Piollo II (Lila, Bohol), Roderick Alcala (Lucena, Quezon) and Melecio Yap (Escalante, Negros Occidental).

Mayors Alfred Romualdez of Tacloban; Dibu Tuan of T’boli, South Cotabato; Sulpicio Villalobo of Sto. Niño, South Cotabato; Noel Rosal of Legazpi City, Albay, and Abraham Ibba of Battaraza, Palawan had earlier been issued show cause orders.

Only Rosal has given his answer, which is now being verified by the DILG.

Densing said DILG regional offices were asked to create verification and legal teams, with a representative from the Department of Health to evaluate the response of the mayors who allegedly jumped the vaccination line.