President Rodrigo Duterte has defended the deals made by the government with Chinese-made vaccine manufacturer Sinovac.

“Long before, tumawag na ako kay President Xi Jinping. Sabi ko ‘Wala kaming resources, we do not know how to make it. Please do not forget the Philippines. We will first vaccinate all of our citizens,” Duterte said in his talk to the nation on Monday.

Duterte also told Secretary Carlito Galvez to proceed his vaccination plan amidst the criticisms.

“Every negotiation, ibang agreement na naman ‘yan. Does not involve money, but one thing is certain, you cannot divulge the contract price agreed upon,” Duterte said.

Duterte also slammed critics of the Sinovac vaccine due to overpricing claims.

“Nagka-canvass lang ‘yan. Ang akala yata nitong mga, for a lack of a better word, ayoko na lang magsalita. Akala yata nila, ‘yung kontrata sa Sinovac, kontrata sa Pfizer, kunyari. Sa Pfizer, gusto ninyong Pfizer, kayong mga senado,” Duterte said.

“In Norway, 25 persons died after receiving Pfizer vaccination. Gusto ninyo, mag-order kami para sa inyo,” he added.

Experts, however, are still finding out if the deaths are linked to the vaccine.

The President said: “All Galvez can do is to come to an agreement as representative or agent of the Republic of the Philippines. He has no say sa bayaran, kung saan because it is purely papel. Kunin ng manufacturer ‘yan sa mga bangko.”