President Duterte has signed a law on February 26 to allow vaccine makers immunity. However, on Monday night of March 22, he seemed to have forgotten that he ratified the bill filed by Congress to indemnify vaccine makers.
“The government cannot guarantee, much less give you an immune status that you are freed of any and all liability. It’s too much. I think we cannot even do that even if we wanted to, assuming liability for the stuff bought by the provinces – tell them it cannot be,” said Duterte to vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. during a meeting.
Duterte explained that there is no possibility that the government will be liable for the vaccine purchase of private companies.
“Ang gusto ng manufacturers, ang gobyerno, ang private sector magbili, ang gobyerno mag-assume ng liablity. Hindi ho p’wede ‘yung ganoon,” said Duterte.
However, it was the concept of the tripartite agreement all along.
The law which he signed gives assurance to the private companies that they will be immune from suit when they procured vaccines from pharmaceutical firms.
As a result of Duterte’s confusion, celebrities and Netizens took to twitter to share their reactions to the President’s State-Of-Confusion.
ABS-CBN actor Enchong Dee was disgusted by how inconsiderate the Philippine leader was to private companies.
Anong klaseng pamumuno yan?!
https://t.co/RSF98TTiOj
— Enchong Dee (@enchongdee777) March 23, 2021
ABS-CBN journalist Karen Davila ridiculed how Duterte forgot that he signed the bill over a month ago. With the President rejecting the law he recently signed, Davila feels that there will be more delays in the vaccines that the country ought to receive.
I wonder who is giving the President advice? Who has his ear? Can he backtrack on something he’s signed? Will we see more delays in vaccine arrivals in PH after this? https://t.co/5n23adnkdz
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) March 23, 2021
ABS-CBN creative manager Willy Cuevas, also berated Duterte. Cuevas even called the President “bugok” for rejecting a law he signed.
https://twitter.com/DrekWillyCuevas/status/1374162643611578368
A Netizen even pointed that Duterte’s decision will have two possible outcomes—Duterte does not care about the country’s pandemic response or another fake heroism.
https://twitter.com/patrikgarcia/status/1374156311424688128
A Netizen also pointed out that the country’s leader did not bother to read the law before signing it, resulting in him being confused.
It seems the President is confused. Or ni hindi man lang binasa ang batas bago aprobahan.
I pity him for not having completed staff work or CSW. https://t.co/FlOWYZlnWq
— James Romer Velina (@JamesVelinaLXIX) March 22, 2021
A twitter personality also took a swipe on Duterte’s supporters, who will be defending the President for his confusion.
DDS be like…”SANDALEEE WALA PANG SCRIIPPTT!!”
— ToniSpeakeasy
(@ToniSpeakEasy) March 22, 2021
Another twitter personality concluded that the reason why Duterte was confused was due to lack of sleep.
Baka kulang lang po sa tulog si Tatay. Kawawa naman
— Bruja Mariko-dono (@BrujaDelDemonio) March 22, 2021
On Duterte’s rejection of the concept of the tripartite agreement, a Netizen pointed out that the Philippines will return to square one in procuring the vaccine. Vaccine makers have specifically requested an indemnification clause to finalize the deal. Given that Duterte rejection of indemnification–most likely, there will be delays in the acquisition of vaccines once again.
In short, back to square one din pagdating sa procurement ng vaccines. He can terminate the indemnification fund and say goodbye to your promised vaccinations. #dutertepalpak
— Nagbabayad ng Buwis (Barda Era) (@pinoy_taxpayer) March 22, 2021
The Republic Act No. 11525 or the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021 was signed by Duterte on February 26. The law also states that manufacturers “shall be immune from suit and liability under Philippine laws with respect to all claims arising out of, related to, or resulting from the administration or use of a COVID-19 vaccine xcept arising from willful misconduct and gross negligence.”
Duterte not only signed the law, but he deemed it urgent since it has an indemnification clause, which was required by vaccine makers like Pfizer.
