What Duterte Said in His Weekly Speech (Nov. 23)

President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his weekly address to the nation on Monday, Nov. 23. Here's a recap of what he said.

• President Duterte reminds the public to observe minimum health standards such as wearing of face masks, physical distancing, and proper handwashing.
• Duterte says the Philippines is already looking at COVID-19 vaccination. "What happens next? Next is we go for the vaccine para maiturok sa mga tao para magkaroon ng immunity," he said.
• COVID-19 Vaccine Czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. says the Philippines is already in talks with four pharmaceutical firms developing vaccines including Pfizer, Sinovac, and AstraZeneca.
• Galvez says "best-case scenario" is that the Philippines could obtain COVID-19 vaccines by the second quarter of 2021. Some 20 million could be immunized initially, he adds.
• Galvez says AstraZeneca has committed at least 20 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for $5 per dose.
• The Philippines can obtain COVID-19 vaccines for some 60 million people from AstraZeneca, Sinovac, and Pfizer, Galvez says.
• Galvez says the government is looking at a "geographical strategy" in the immunization program against COVID-19. Areas "heavily hit" by the virus such as Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, and Bacolod will be prioritized, he says.
• Duterte appeals to the public not to burden law enforcers such as the police and soldiers. "You love your police and your military," he says.
• Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III says the Philippines can fund its COVID-19 immunization program through multilateral agencies such as ADB and WorldBank, domestic sources of financing, and negotiations with bilateral partners.
• Dominguez says P73.2 billion is enough to cover  the COVID-19 immunization of some 60 million people based on estimates that the average cost of vaccines are $25 or P1,250 each.
• Duterte names government workers dismissed due to grave misconduct.
• Duterte says he will name more government workers linked to corruption next week.
• Duterte approves release of P1.5 billion in funds for local government units of areas devastated by typhoons.
• Duterte says the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission submitted to him a list of congressmen who were allegedly receiving kickbacks from contractors, who they chose for select government projects. The President refused to mention names, saying he cannot investigate them and would instead forward their names to the Ombudsman.
• Duterte talks about illegal drugs; reminds police officers that they are only allowed to kill when their lives are in danger.

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