Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Wednesday urged Malacañang and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to bar Public Attorneys Office (PAO) chief, Persida Acosta, from reporting to work, following her admission that she is unvaccinated from COVID-19.
Drilon said in a statement that it is a slap to the government's face that an official like Acosta remains unvaccinated amid nationwide vaccination efforts.
"Hindi ba sampal iyon sa gobyerno?" Drilon said.
(Isn't that a slap to the government?)
"Until she gets vaccinated, she should be barred from reporting to work," he added.
He made the remarks after Acosta admitted that she is unvaccinated against COVID-19, adding that while she is not against the vaccination efforts, she is "waiting for a protein-based vaccine."
Drilon, however, said that while it may not be deliberate, Acosta's recent remarks can "fuel vaccine hesitancy" that the government is trying to address.
Acosta is working under the DOJ, whose secretary previously said that while people may refuse to get vaccinated, they are bound to "obey reasonable state regulations" involving unvaccinated individuals.
The government recently enforced the "no vaxx, no ride" and "no vaxx, no labas" policies, which seek to restrict the movement of the unvaccinated to just acquiring essential services.
"If the government is serious about its 'no vax, stay at home; no vax, no ride policy,' it should apply it to all. Otherwise, it will not work," Drilon said.
"The government should take the same hardline stance against their own officials. Set an example with Acosta," he added.
