Dahil sa Omicron variant.. Sapilitang pagbabakuna kontra-COVID, pinag-aaralan pa — Malacañang

ni Lolet Abania | November 30, 2021

Ipinahayag ng Malacañang ngayong Martes na hindi pa napagdedesisyunan ng gobyerno ang pagpapatupad ng mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations dahil depende pa ito sa magiging resulta ng 3-day nationwide vaccination drive.

“We still continue to discuss that (mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations) inside the [Inter-Agency Task Force],” ani acting Presidential Spokesperson Karlo Nograles.

“As long as we see the consistent, significant turnout during massive vaccinations, where we are seeing one million doses administered in a day and as much as three million doses administered per day due to three day massive vaccination rollout, then, hopefully, there might not be a need for that if a lot of people will get vaccinated,” sabi ni Nograles.

Gayunman, sinabi ni Nograles na ang bagong Omicron variant ng COVID-19 variant ay isa pang rason na posibleng makaimpluwensiya sa kanilang magiging desisyon.

“So, at the end of the day, as President Rodrigo Duterte said, we will balance the police power of the state, and the public health and safety of our people. We continue to weigh the options,” saad ng kalihim.

Subalit ayon kay Nograles, dapat ding pag-aralan ito ng Kongreso na magpasa ng isang batas para sa mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations.

“There needs to be a law for that, and there will be mandatory enforcement if Congress will pass a law and the President signs it. It is up to Congress to pass a law if they feel the need to make it mandatory,” paliwanag ni Nograles.

Samantala, pinag-iisipan naman ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na maging mandatory ang pagbabakuna kontra-COVID-19.

Ang naging pahayag ng Pangulo ay kasunod ng banta ng Omicron COVID-19 variant. “I may agree with the task force (IATF) if they decide to make it mandatory (vaccination). It’s for public health. Now, kung ayaw mo, ‘wag kang lumabas,” sabi ni Pangulong Duterte sa kanyang Talk to the People.

“It’s actually to protect public health... In some countries mandatory na, dito maingay ang human rights,” sabi ni P-Duterte. Ayon pa sa Punong Ehekutibo, maaari niyang pilitin ang mga Pilipino na magpabakuna kontra-COVID-19 dahil sa kanyang police power. “Now under the police power of the state, I can compel you,” giit pa ng Pangulo.