PRE-JAB. A Quezon City worker interviews a senior citizen before the administration of the Covid-19 jab in District 2 in this July 2021 photo. The one-shot Johnson&Johnson was used to inoculate the elderly under the A2 priority group. (Photo courtesy of QC Government Facebook)
MANILA – Illegal acts in relation to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccination program will have corresponding jail time and fines in Quezon City.
Recently, the local government have been intercepting vaccinees who present fake notification texts and email messages.
Upon verification, they were not included in the lineup for the day.
Under Ordinance No. SP-3032 approved on July 29, violators shall be fined PHP5,000 and/or imprisoned for not less than one month but not more than six months or both, at the discretion of the court.
“This should serve as a warning to those who want to take advantage of the city’s vaccination program through illegal means. We won’t take your illegal acts sitting down and we will go after you with the full force of the law,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said in a statement.
Also covered by the ordinance are misrepresenting any information requested by authorities in relation to vaccination, including the information indicated in the vaccine card, for purposes of obtaining undue benefits or privileges; sale, advertisement, distribution, solicitation, or administration of Covid-19 vaccines for profit and commercial purposes without any authorization or permit issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); and purchasing Covid-19 vaccines, whether from a private individual or a government official/employee, without any authority, issued by the FDA.
Also punishable in the city are sale of Covid-19 vaccine slot/s originally reserved by the person applying for the same to others for the purpose of substituting someone other than the original and supposed applicant; purchasing Covid-19 vaccine slot/s, whether from a private individual or a government official/employee; misrepresentation of vaccine status for purposes of fraud or deceit, including a fully vaccinated person pretending to be unvaccinated for purposes of receiving additional inoculations; and commission of any other deceit or fraud in relation to the government’s vaccination program.
“If the offense is committed by a firm, partnership, corporation or other juridical entity duly organized in accordance with law, the chief executive officer, president, general manager, or such other officer in charge shall be held liable,” the ordinance read.
The business permit and the license to operate shall be revoked.
Charges may also be filed under Republic Act 9771 or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 1991, the Revised Penal Code, and other appropriate administrative, civil, or criminal charges under applicable laws. (PNA)
