The government could not reveal the exact price of the coronavirus vaccines it secured from suppliers but assures the nation there is “no magic” or anomaly in the acquisition efforts, President Duterte said Monday.
In a televised address, the President rallied behind vaccine czar Carlito Galvez in defending the compliance with the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) included in the preliminary contract signed with companies like the vaccine manufacturer.
“Nandito sa table ko manufacturers ito. Every negotiation ibang agreement na naman ‘yan. It does not involve money but one thing is certain: you cannot divulge the contract price agreed upon,” he said.
Duterte also claimed that keeping silent about the price in a supply agreement has been an industry practice. He noted that the vaccine price cannot be revealed since the manufacturer negotiates with other countries scrambling to buy for supplies too. At present, the law of supply and demand prevails in securing the global vaccine supply.
“They sign a memorandum of confidentiality. They cannot reveal the price kasi it will resort na malugi ‘yung iba – in some countries malugi sila, ‘yung ibang countries, hindi pare-pareho (they might lose profits in some countries. It’s not the same. They want the prices to range the same),” he said, citing the additional payment for the “agent” and the “filling station” for the vaccines.
“It’s the practice of the industry na iyang presyo bulung-bulungan muna kasi sa ganitong klaseng pandemic mag-ano ka, you buy like crazy — paunahan (It’s the practice of the industry that the price is whispered because during this kind of pandemic, you buy like crazy. It’s a race to get first). Kung sino ‘yung may pera, mauna mabigyan. Kung sino ‘yung gumawa ng sarili nilang bakuna, natural, ‘yung unang mabigyan ang mga tao nila (Whoever has the money will be supplied first. Citizens of countries that manufacture the vaccines will be given priority),” he added.
The President likewise dispelled suspicion of any irregularity in the government’s vaccine procurement. “Walang magic diyan (There is no magic there),” he said.
He went as far as offering to the “doubting Thomases” to handle the vaccine plans if they want. He said they could even form a committee but would only realize the need to comply with the same confidentiality clause in the supply deals.
“I don’t know why are you so occupied sa mga corruption. Now, maghanap kayo hindi dito, baka sa inyo. Baka sa departamento ninyo, hindi dito sa akin,” he said.
In an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the government has so far secured millions of vaccines doses from suppliers like China’s Sinovac and Serum Institute of India. Vaccine supplies from other manufacturers are also being ironed out.
Duterte also said the vaccine supply deal would be final only after he and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez have reviewed and approved the proposal.
“The pricing and the paper will not be final until it is reviewed by the Secretary of Finance, kasi siya ang magbayad, pati ako (because he will pay as well as me),” Duterte said.
