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Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque debunked Presidential Security Group (PSG) commander Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III‘s statement that President Rodrigo Duterte was done with the second dose of his COVID-19 vaccine after 14 days since receiving the first one almost two months ago.
In an interview with People’s Television Network (PTV) on the morning of June 25, Durante stated that the President is already fully vaccinated so that he can continuously serve the country.
“Si Pangulo po ay vaccinated na po siya, at napakahalaga po nito, para lalo namin siyang maingatan, lalo na magagawa niya nang maayos at tuloy-tuloy ang kaniyang tungkulin, upang makapaglingkod sa ating mga kababayan,” said Durante.
When asked to confirm if Duterte already received his second dose, the PSG chief answered, “Yes, 14 days after ‘yung activity, nagkaroon po siya ng second dose.”
The answer confused as the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended three weeks to a month interval between the first and second doses of Sinopharm, which was the brand of Duterte’s vaccine jabbed on May 3.
Roque was quick to refute Durante’s claim, saying that the latter was misinformed regarding the President’s vaccination progress.
“Gen. Durante was mistakenly informed by his medical staff that a second dose was already administered to the President,” Roque said in a statement.
He added that the chief already admitted and apologized regarding his claims and that they still have no information as to when the President can receive his second dose.
“Gen. Durante has admitted, apologized, and rectified his earlier remarks. We hope this clarifies the matter.”
The contradicting statements between government officials are not new as the past few days have been filled with confusion after several public servants have made different declarations about the mandate over face shields.
But on June 21, President Duterte has decided to continue requiring people to wear face shields both indoors and outdoors. The mandate was changed only seven hours after officials announced an end to the requirement of wearing a face shield outdoors.
