Hontiveros to pursue probe into expired COVID-19 vaccines despite COVAX commitment to replace them

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday said she will still pursue the Senate investigation into the estimated P5 billion to P13 billion worth of expired COVID-19 vaccines even after COVAX facility's commitment to replace the expired doses.

"Tuloy ang imbestigasyon kahit papalitan ang mga mapapanis na bakuna. May nagpabaya kaya kailangan may managot," Hontiveros said in a text message to reporters.

(The investigation will continue even if they replace the expiring vaccines. Someone has been negligent. Hence, he or she should be accountable.)

"Inaksaya nito hindi lamang pera, pero pati oras at resources ng ating national vaccination program. Those responsible for the wastage can't just rely on COVAX to clean up their mess," she added.

(They wasted not only the money but the time and the resources of our national vaccination program. Those responsible for the wastage can't rely on COVAX to clean up their mess.)

Further, Hontiveros suggested introducing a penal provision in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act to seek accountability from people who are found wasting the COVID-19 vaccines.

"Pagdating sa pag-update ng Vaccination Program Act, maaari nating idagdag ang pananagutan ng sinumang magsasayang ng mga bakuna. Sa ngayon, may parusa na under RA 11525 ang pamemeke ng vaccine cards. Puwedeng idagdag sa portion na ito ang pag-aaksaya ng mga bakuna," she said.

(On updating the Vaccination Program Act, we can introduce a provision which will penalize anyone who is found wasting our COVID-19 vaccines. Currently, RA 11525 penalizes those who are faking the vaccine cards. We can add a portion penalizing vaccine wastage.)

Hontiveros made the suggestion after Department of Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire asked Congress to amend Republic Act 11525 or the  COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021 and  extend the law's validity.

Vergeire had explained that the provisions of this law will be deemed invalid once the state of calamity is lifted in September 2022.

Vergeire said the law covers the emergency use authorization of the COVID-19 vaccines, the tax exemptions for the assistance received by the government, the emergency procurements and the measures for the price control of commodities.

Under Section 17 of RA 11525, the act shall remain in full force and effect during the period of the state of calamity as declared under Proclamation No. 1021 dated September 16, 2020 issued by the President of the Philippines.

In September 2021, former President Rodrigo Duterte extended the COVID-19 state of calamity in the country until September 12, 2022. — RSJ, GMA News