‘Galvez seemed stumped by the questioning of Drilon and Senator Ping Lacson and had to grope for the right words while trying to explain why 50,000 doses from Sinovac Biotech of China are due this February even when the Food and Drug Administration has yet to approve the use of the vaccine.’
SENATE Minority Leader Franklin Drillon knew it was no laughing matter but the statements of national vaccination czar Carlito Galvez on the Sinovac vaccine seemed to make no sense at all. Intoxication may be the only way for one to see the logic behind the government’s preference for Sinovac despite its mere 50 percent efficacy and astronomical price as compared to Pfizer with 95 percent and Modena with 94 percent efficacy.
Senator President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto questioned why the IATF and DOH virtually ignored the recommendation of the national association of the country’s medical and health and professionals for the right vaccine. Pressed by Recto and Senate President Tito Sotto during the recent Senate hearing, Galvez reluctantly gave the assurance that the IATF will consider recognizing the group’s recommendation.
Galvez seemed stumped by the questioning of Drilon and Senator Ping Lacson and had to grope for the right words while trying to explain why 50,000 doses from Sinovac Biotech of China are due this February even when the Food and Drug Administration has yet to approve the use of the vaccine. Galvez’ incoherence had camouflaged what he meant to say — that the so-called “commitment” of Sinovac Biotech to ship the initial doses was an “order” (pardon the pun) that the government could not refuse to make.
To those who think that the deadly virus crisis has led to personal cleansing and social renewal may have understated the paralyzing impact of sickness and suffering and the emotional and mental stress over family members who had succumbed to COVID-19.
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The rampant drug dealing and trafficking as shown in numerous news accounts have indicated that drug pushing remains as lucrative as before, especially for people under the yoke of “kapit sa patalim.” Yet, more and more people have been attending Church and denominational services online since COVID infections broke out and various Christian communities are filled with actual stories of miraculous healings from COVID and other major diseases. Many have been carried on social media.
Still on Biblical truths to escape poverty in our nation of deep social inequality, allow me please to quote the revivalist Evangelist John Avanzini. “Since God’s word shows us how to live the Christian life, and seeing that the way we use our money is a large part of our lives, it is imperative we allow the Bible to guide us in the spending of our money. In fact, the Bible must be the final authority in all of our money matters, for the very money we earn comes to us through God’s power. That’s right! Money comes to us by God’s power, and not by our own. ‘…thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth… Deuteronomy 8:18
