The Duterte administration made a promise that the COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna would arrive on Valentine’s Day, February 14.
Five days have passed and still, no vaccines have arrived. Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. on Friday released a statement that the Philippines is late in acquiring said vaccines.
And with that, Filipinos were once again victims of the empty promise of the government. On Twitter, some celebrities and netizens were fed up with the government’s incompetence.
@MalacananEvents recalled the failed promise of the government.
N g a n g a ✨ pic.twitter.com/nkZkKwaYxp
— Malacañang Events and Catering Services (@MalacananEvents) February 18, 2021
Pia Magalona tweeted the song by Dionne Warwick titled, “Promises, Promises”. This was in line with the “guarantee” of the government that the Philippines will have the vaccines by February 14.
Promises, promises by Ms @dionnewarwick https://t.co/0Qz4jOxVz4 https://t.co/AireVgBVsO
— Pia Magalona ⁷ (@piamagalona) February 18, 2021
Earlier this Friday, Duterte had said that he was growing impatient with the vaccine being delayed. However, journalist Barnaby Lo is not impressed. It is because the president is responsible for the blunder.
And then when the vaccines arrive it’s because he grew impatient thus saving the day? I’ve seen this film many times.
Fact is as chief executive he is just as responsible, or even more, for the delay. https://t.co/wIbBNbHxQt
— Barnaby Lo 吳宗鴻 (@barnabychuck) February 19, 2021
Twitter personality KC Contracepcion poked fun at the slow acquisition of vaccines by the government.
Duterte: "Hintayin na lang natin yung vaccine."
Vaccines: *Finally made.*
Duterte administration: https://t.co/e2icsXJo8h pic.twitter.com/t6gZ9bshbn
— HIDILYN KLUM (@Punongbayan_) February 18, 2021
Journalist JC Punongbayan sarcastically pointed out that the administration did not say what year will the country get the vaccine.
https://twitter.com/jcpunongbayan/status/1362296193062109187
For netizen @PuloRadn, the February 14 arrival of the vaccine was nothing but a prank.
https://twitter.com/PauloRadn/status/1362554418055442436
@dailydoseofcare pointed out that in Singapore when the vaccine arrived, it was not even the headline.
Today’s newspaper in Singapore. Vaccines arrived quietly and no need for headline pic.twitter.com/Nrv4QIGnXy
— Marni Woods (@dailydoseofcare) February 18, 2021
@thekenoimperial said he was optimistic during college that the economy would prosper by 2050. HOwever with the administration’s multiple mistakes he is in doubt.
https://twitter.com/thekenoimperial/status/1362418502263402500
With Persida Acosta fearing that the vaccine would cause another Dengvaxia incident, actress Agot Isidro roasted the PAO chief by looking for her through the spirit of the glass. Agot, who is a critic of the government, also shared that Acosta blocked her ages ago.
Meanwhile, in Bangladesh, as early as January, they already received 5 million doses of the Covishield from India under a procurement agreement. Unlike Bangladesh, the Philippines is still waiting for the arrival of Pfizer and Moderna. As the country waits, the death toll is still rising by the day. And with lives at stake, Filipinos are looking for a sense of urgency from the government.
