President Rodrigo Duterte thanked and accepted the offer of Russia to supply the Philippines with COVID-19 vaccines, adding he hopes for a COVID-free Christmas celebration in the country.
Duterte responded to the Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev’s statement that Russia’s anti-COVID-19 vaccine trials are showing “very promising” results.
Khovaev added that proposals for the clinical trials and the production of the vaccine in the country were already with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
In his Monday public address, the President said he was so happy that the country’s “friend” Russia would give the Philippines COVID-19 vaccines.
“Nagpapasalamat ho ako sa inyo sa mabuting loob ninyo sa Filipino. Someday, we will, makabayad man lang kami sa utang na loob sa inyo (I thank you for your kindness toward Filipinos. Someday, we will repay you),” he said Monday evening.
“I promise you that the Philippines and Russia will remain friends forever,” he added.
Duterte even offered to take the first shot of the vaccine to show that he trusts Russia’s studies and to ensure that it is safe for Filipinos.
“Ako, pagdating ng bakuna, in public, para Walang satsat diyan. In public, magpa-injection ako. Ako yung unang ma-experimentuhan, okay sa akin,” Duterte said.
(When the vaccine arrives, I will take it in public. Experiment on me first, that’s fine with me.)
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Duterte’ extremely grateful’ for Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine
“Sabihin ko rin kay President Putin na malaki ang tiwala ko sa [I will tell President Putin that I have faith in]… your studies in combating COVID, and I believe that the vaccine you have produced is really good for humanity,” he added.
“Pagdating yung doctor nila o doctor natin, ako ang unang magpabakuna. Tignan natin kung pwede ba. Kung pwede sa akin, pwede sa lahat,” Duterte continued.
(When their doctors arrive, or our doctors, I will be the first in line. Let’s see if it works. If it works for me, then it will work for everybody.)
The President also said the Philippines is ready to assist Russia in its clinical trials in the country as well as its production. He also tasked Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to appoint the best person to coordinate with Russia.
“I am asking the Secretary of Health to look for the best guy to be dealing with Russia in this area – the transfer of technology of the vaccine,” he added.