US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has vowed to help the Philippines secure the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin Jr. said on Saturday.
In a tweet, Locsin, who earlier revealed that a Philippine Cabinet official had caused a deal for 10 million Pfizer vaccine doses to fall apart, said Pompeo made the assurance in a phone conversation.
Great phone conversation with Mike Pompeo last night. Lotsa laughs at others. But on the most serious note I asked him to help Babe and I get back even a fraction of the 10 million doses of Pfizer after someone dropped the ball. He’ll give it his best try. Babe’s securing Moderna
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) December 19, 2020
“Great phone conversation with Mike Pompeo last night. Lotsa laughs at others. But on the most serious note I asked him to help (PH Ambassador to US Babe Romualdez) and I get back even a fraction of the 10 million doses of Pfizer after someone dropped the ball. He’ll give it his best try,” Locsin wrote.
“Babe’s securing Moderna,” he added.
Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Wednesday said Health Secretary Francisco Duque “failed to work on the necessary documentary requirement namely, the Confidentiality Disclosure Agreement,” which led to the botched deal.
In a Dec. 15 tweet, Locsin said he and Romualdez “got 10 million doses of Pfizer [vaccines] financed by World Bank and ADB to be shipped thru FEDEX to Clark in January. BUT SOMEBODY DROPPED THE BALL.”
Duque said negotiations with Pfizer were ongoing, but Lacson said the ongoing talks were just a “renewed initiative after they missed the bus the first time.” John Ezekiel J. Hirro