Rody Pushes Mandatory Vaccination

Shots for general population, minors to start next month

- Alexis Romero

Invoking the police power of the state, President Duterte is insisting that the government may compel people to get vaccinated.

“I do not want to advance this theory, but under the police power of the state, everybody can be compelled to be vaccinated. Not because we do not believe in your theory or belief or your religion, but because you are a carrier and a danger to society. The problem lies there. It’s between your belief maybe, your religion, but there is a division of, you know, religion and state,” the President said in a pre-recorded public address last Monday.

Duterte also told government personnel who refuse to be vaccinated to leave public service.

“Go out of government. Why? Because when you are with the government you face people. People transact business (with) officials, well, audiences or visits,” he said.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, however, said a new law is needed to make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory.

“What he said is people from the government who do not want to be vaccinated should not work in government. So I guess, the President is starting a requirement that one has to be vaccinated to work in government,” the Palace spokesman said.

“But this is without prejudice to Congress passing a law,” he added.