Sinopharm, a Chinese state-owned pharmaceutical firm, has applied for Emergency Use Authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine, Malacañang said on Monday, March 1.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the announcement ahead of the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the government agency that receives EUA applications and is in charge of processing them.

Initially, Roque had said that Sinopharm planned to submit an EUA “within the day.” But in a matter of minutes, after checking messages on his mobile phone, the Duterte spokesman issued a new announcement.

“I stand corrected. It has been filed. They have already filed with the FDA an application for EUA for Sinopharm vaccine,” he said from the Philippine General Hospital, where vaccinations of healthcare workers were underway using another Chinese vaccine, Sinovac’s CoronaVac.

Yet FDA Director General Eric Domingo has said he is yet to see Sinopharm’s EUA application. As of writing, the FDA itself is yet to confirm the Malacañang announcement.

Duterte’s preferred vaccine

The Sinopharm vaccine is Duterte’s preferred anti-COVID-19 jab, as announced previously by Malacañang.

Roque had even said Malacañang lawyers were studying if the compassionate special permit allowing Duterte’s security aides, the Presidential Security Group, to use 10,000 Sinopharm vaccine shots could provide legal basis for the Chief Executive to get those shots as well.

As of Monday, Malacañang’s legal staff have yet to make a decision on the matter, said Roque.

The Sinopharm vaccine is at the heart of a controversy on smuggled vaccines.

Former special envoy Ramon Tulfo Jr, some PSG personnel, a senator, Cabinet member, and other high-ranking government officials were able to get Sinopharm vaccines in violation of regulatory processes and ahead of healthcare workers.

Despite this, Malacañang and Duterte himself have not moved to hold these individuals accountable. The President even instructed PSG members not to cooperate in any investigations.

Critics have said the Palace’s hands-off stance smacks of preferential treatment and disdain for processes and regulations other Filipinos must follow. (READ: Malacañang after Mon Tulfo illegal vaccination: He can do as he pleases)

Roque, on Monday, even said the PSG’s illegal vaccinations in 2020 could be covered by the FDA special permit for 10,000 new Sinopharm vaccines, thus absolving the PSG of liability.

“In law, there could be instances when we ratify acts earlier done because of subsequent acts. But my initial legal opion is it could have the affect of ratifying something earlier,” said the Duterte spokesman.

Yet FDA Director General Domingo had earlier stressed that the special permit is not retroactive and covers only the 10,000 Sinopharm vaccines yet to be delivered. – Rappler.com