- Vice President Leni Robredo stated that it would help boost the public’s confidence if President Rodrigo Duterte would take the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine
- She said Duterte could use his influence to allay the fears and hesitation of the public
- Robredo made Indonesian President Joko Widodo who took the first COVID-19 vaccine in his country as an example
Vice President Leni Robredo said it would be best if President Rodrigo Duterte would take the first jab of COVID-19 vaccine in the country.
As the public continues to debate on the country’s COVID-19 vaccination program, the Vice President issued a suggestion to allay the fears and hesitation of the Filipinos. In her radio program, Robredo said Duterte’s popularity among Filipinos could be used to influence and build confidence towards the government’s inoculation program.
“Ang surveys pinapakita na sobrang popular ni Pangulo, ‘di ba? Sobrang popular ni Pangulo, so makatutulong sana to boost ‘yung confidence ng ating mga kababayan kung makita siya,” she explained.
“So makatutulong na kung sino iyong tinitingala nila eh makita nila, ipakita sa kanila na walang dapat ipangamba. So ako lang, sana tine-take into consideration ‘yung mga ganito,” Robredo added.
Robredo went on to make the inoculation of Indonesian President Joko Widodo with the first COVID-19 vaccine shot in his country as an example. She said it helped dispel doubts over the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.
“Hindi natin alam kung hindi lang nakakaabot dito, pero parang wala masyadong controversy about it (Sinovac vaccine in Indonesia). Baka ang gustong sabihin, effective ang communications plan nila,” she said.
“Baka nasabi nila sa tao, na-explain nila sa tao kung bakit ito iyong desisyon. ‘Yun yung kulang sa atin, kaya nagkakaroon ng kontrobersiya,” Robredo added.
Last year, Duterte said he’s willing to get inoculated in public and volunteered to get the first jab. However, recently, the President disclosed that frontliners should be prioritized and that he will be among the last.