‘Greatest Show on Earth’

In 1919, an American traveling circus company billed as “The Greatest Show on Earth” began its debut in New York City, complete with animals, daredevil acrobats, and several variety shows. It was entertainment at its best. But after years of declining attendance, animal rights protests, and high operating costs, the company staged its final performance almost a century later in 2017.

As we begin the New Year, we are about to witness another vaudeville drama that should keep us entertained for the next few days and weeks, until something else comes up to catch our attention and imagination. Let us call it “The Vaccination of the Praetorian Guards.” The current drama involves the inoculation of some members of the Presidential Security Group who, according to news reports, injected each other with some unnamed anti-COVID-19 vaccine that was allegedly smuggled into the country and ended up in PSG headquarters. President Duterte himself, in a televised address to the nation, revealed the PSG vaccinations using a drug developed by Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinopharm.

The PSG commander, Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III, has provided reporters with some information as to how the whole operation took place. He said that “to avoid being a threat to President Duterte’s health,” he had his men vaccinated with the unnamed drug in September, with a follow-up second dose in October. On both occasions the vaccination was done among themselves without any assistance from medical professionals. All these activities took place without informing the Commander in Chief or securing his prior approval. Durante did not name the vaccine or who provided them. Everything was carried out on their own initiative, doing research on various possibilities, until finally settling on a particular vaccine.

Now, let me attempt to read behind the lines of what he said. The commander of the presidential guards decided on his own that his men perhaps particularly those involved in close-in security duties, should be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. He then carries out medical research to determine which vaccine among those being developed would provide the best protection for his men and, ultimately, the President. This was sometime before September last year, long before the roll-out of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Sinovac, or Sputnik V. Upon his determination as to which vaccine to use, he then makes arrangements through unknown intermediaries for the delivery of the vaccine to his office, and proceeds to have his men do the injections on each other, a procedure normally carried out by a registered nurse. He does not inform the President until much later. In fact, he does not inform the AFP chief of staff, the defense secretary, or even the health secretary, as a matter of courtesy. Although the PSG is part of the AFP, strictly speaking it operates under the Office of the President.

As a result of these revelations, a number of investigations have been initiated. The National Bureau of Investigation on orders of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, will look into the illegal use of an unregistered vaccine, developed by a Chinese pharmaceutical firm, and determine how it entered the Philippines. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon wants the Senate convened as a Committee of the Whole, to summon General Durante and have him shed light on who gave the vaccine, and how it ended up with the PSG. The Food and Drug Administration feels ignored and wants to assert its authority over food and medicines used by our citizens. Finally, the Armed Forces chief of staff, Gen. Gilbert Gapay, has ordered a “thorough investigation on the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

What is the point of all these investigations? General Durante can say anything he wants. He can weave all kinds of stories to suit his purposes. He knows, we know that he is virtually untouchable, and in the end may even be promoted for outstanding performance in line of duty. Remember Gen. Debold Sinas, who is now the PNP chief!

So, let us not take things too seriously. Instead, we should view the whole affair as plain entertainment, just as the “Greatest Show on Earth” provided both excitement and relaxation for several generations of American families.

—————-

[email protected]