Roque: Vaccines given to Cabinet officials, soldiers mere ‘tokens’ | Evening wRap

Today on Rappler – the latest news in the Philippines and around the world:

• Unanswered questions hamper Roque’s attempt to end smuggled vaccines issue

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday, December 28 dismisses claims of corruption after top government officials and members of the Presidential Security Group or PSG were confirmed to have been vaccinated ahead of approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

• Lawmakers slam unvetted PACC corruption allegations as ‘baseless, malicious’

Despite having no hard evidence to prove it, President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, December 28 names 8 lawmakers allegedly receiving kickback from infrastructure projects in their districts, after initially declining to do so.

• Manila prosecutor junks police complaint vs ‘Pride 20′

A Manila City prosecutor junks the complaint of the Manila Police District against the so-called Pride 20, a group of 20 protesters arrested by police during the Pride March in Mendiola, Manila on June 26.

• New US law denies entry to foreign officials persecuting journalists

The United States enacts a law Sunday, December 27, requiring the Secretary of State to deny entry to foreign government officials who violate the rights of journalists, including Rappler CEO Maria Ressa in the Philippines.

• FALSE: Photo shows COVID-19 ‘vaccine patients’ eating other patients

A photo altered with the CNN logo circulating on Facebook claims COVID-19 ‘vaccine patients’ have started eating other patients. The claim is false. – Rappler.com