Philippines’ Duterte to Prioritize China, Russia Vaccine Offers

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he would prioritize China and Russia in sourcing a Covid-19 vaccine over Western drugmakers, which require cash advances in exchange for supplies.

“We will give preference to Russia and China, provided that their vaccine is as good as any other in the market,” Duterte said in a pre-recorded briefing Monday night, adding that both countries have not asked for upfront payments. Philippine law prevents government from making pre-payments to procure non-existent products, Duterte said while threatening to kick out representatives of Western drugmakers for asking cash advances to reserve vaccine stocks.