MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Health Secretary Francisco Duque was asked by President Duterte to address the accusation that he “dropped the ball” in the Philippines’ bid to procure some 10 million doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine. So he did.

“There is no such thing as dropping the ball. Negotiations are ongoing. In fact Secretary Galvez signed a CDA (confidentiality data agreement) with Pfizer in November,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said in a virtual press briefing on Wednesday, December 16.

So, there is no dropping the ball. Just passing the ball.