Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez has defended the move to inoculate members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) against SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In a post on the Facebook account of the city government on Tuesday night, Gomez said he did not understand why some people made it a big issue since the President needs “protection at all times.”

“The security people of our President will have to be Covid-free. That’s why if there is a vaccination for them, let them be the first one. Let the President and his close-in security be the first one to get the vaccine,” he said.

Gomez noted that numerous complaints emerged when the coronavirus first spread in the country and the same thing happened when the vaccine came.

“Time will come that all of us will get the vaccine. Again, let us protect those who need protection right now and the President is the number one priority,” he added.

Last December 26, President Rodrigo Duterte announced that some members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly his close-in security detail, have received the Sinopharm vaccine, which is not yet authorized by local health authorities to be used.

Duterte’s close-in security personnel have been criticized for allegedly violating Republic Act (RA) 9711 or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009 by getting vaccinated against Covid-19.

RA 9711 prohibits the manufacture, importation, exportation, sale, offering for sale, distribution, transfer, non-consumer use, promotion, advertising, or sponsorship of health products without proper authorization. (PNA)