Vax for sale by Tondo nurse not from Manila stockpile

MANILA – A nurse of the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center (GABMMC) in Tondo, Manila will face charges, along with two others, after they were caught selling coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators workers in Quezon City on Wednesday.

The city government of Manila, however, clarified that the vaccines did not come from its stockpile.

“Vaccines that are allegedly being sold are not sourced from the supply of the Manila Health Department. These Covid-19 vaccines are highly regulated and highly controlled by the LGU (local government unit),” Manila Public Information Officer Jules Leonen said in a statement issued on Friday.

Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso has ordered GABMMC Director Dr. Teodoro Martin to immediately conduct administrative proceedings and file appropriate charges against Alexis Francisco de Guzman, who holds a Nurse III position.

The National Bureau of Investigation also arrested Kour Singh and Calvin Roca with 300 doses of Sinovac jabs placed in an icebox.

“Unauthorized or unlawful selling of Covid-19 vaccines, which is an illegal act, should not be tolerated. Let him face the charges in court,” Domagoso said in a statement.

Martin said the hospital management does not condone the acts of De Guzman.

“His actions have placed the name of this institution in a bad light and we are very willing to cooperate with any investigating authority regarding such matter,” Martin’s statement read.

He assured the GABMMC has always complied with the rules of the city government as well as of the national government in the handling, administering, and monitoring of Covid-19 vaccines.

De Guzman was never a part of a vaccination team, has never been involved in the handling of Covid-19 jabs, and has never transacted with the hospital’s Pharmacy Section regarding the transport or custody of vaccines, according to Martin.