Opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros urged the Department of National Defense (DND) Monday not to be swayed by China’s perceived kindness while it continues to stake its claim on the West Philippine Sea.
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday said the Department of Agriculture (DA) should expand the supply of domestic chicken amid the rising prices of pork in the market.
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday said the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should first obtain from Sinovac the final data of the results of the Phase 3 trials it conducted in Brazil, Indonesia and Turkey before approving and accepting the donated vaccines as “gifts.”
Sen. Risa Hontiveros (Senate of the Philippines / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Hontiveros made the statement after President Duterte hit some senators for questioning the government’s procurement of the China-made vaccines.
“Ang Palasyo lang naman ang nagtataya ng lahat ng pera ng bayan sa isang kabayo (It’s the Palace itself that is betting all public funds in one horse).
It is the Palace itself, through its Spokesperson, in its prior statements, that definitely showed preference for a single Chinese vaccine, despite reports of its lower efficacy, and questionable pricing cost,” Hontiveros said.
“We should rely on our publicly trusted and independent Vaccine Expert Panel (VEP) to provide us the assessment and recommendation on what type and brand of vaccine is safe and effective for a particular group,” she stressed.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros urged the Department of Energy (DoE) and Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Monday to review the surcharges that are passed on to electricity consumers especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic.