What Duterte Said in His Weekly Speech (Jan. 4)

Here's a recap of what President Rodrigo Duterte said in his weekly speech to the nation. This one was delivered on Monday, Jan. 4.

• Duterte says COVID-19 vaccines are coming to the Philippines in March.
• Duterte says members of the Presidential Security Group got vaccinated against COVID-19 as a "matter of self-preservation." He asks Congress not to "tinker" with the PSG.
• CONTEXT: Duterte Defends Presidential Guards for Taking COVID Vaccine
• CONTEXT: COVID Vaccine Prices, Efficacy, Safety Compared
• Duterte tells Congress: "Do not force my soldiers to testify against their will."
• Duterte asks not the public not to presume that there's a cover-up in the COVID-19 vaccination of the PSG.
• Duterte: " I am prepared to defend my soldiers."
• Duterte warns Congress against investigating the COVID-19 vaccination of PSG members: "Huwag niyong pilitin na magkaroon tayo ng ruckus dito."
• Duterte says he was not aware of the PSG "initiative" to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Last week, Duterte was the one who mentioned that some soldiers already got vaccines.
• Duterte tells PSG chief Col. Jesus Durante III to ignore the Congressional probe on the COVID-19 vaccination of some soldiers.
• Duterte says he is considering allowing saliva-based testing for COVID-19.
• Duterte reminds travelers from overseas of the mandatory 14-day quarantine.
• CONTEXT: Quarantine for Arrivals from Countries with New COVID Variant
• Like his previous speeches, Duterte again names government officials removed from office due to various infractions.
• Duterte asks Bureau of Internal Revenue directors to reshuffle their personnel.
• Duterte says he will only allow local government units to use firecrackers.
• Duterte tells firecracker makers in Bocaue, Bulacan to sell their products only to the police, LGUs. Authority on the use of firecrackers will be given to mayors, and chiefs of police, he added.
• CONTEXT: Firecracker Injuries Decline as COVID-19 Dampens New Year 2021
• Duterte asks Food and Drug Administration director general Eric Domingo if the agency can grant emergency use authorization to PSG for the COVID-19 vaccination. Domingo says they can grant  a special permit for "compassionate use."