MANILA (Reuters) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to pardon a United States Marine convicted of killing a transgender woman nearly six years ago may have stemmed from his desire to get access to coronavirus vaccines being developed by U.S. firms, his spokesman said on Thursday.
"His decision didn't surprise me. Why? Because I know he is upholding the higher national interest", Harry Roque said in a regular news briefing when asked to give his "personal take" on the president's move.
