MANILA, Philippines — Former Health Secretary Janette Garin revealed that the procurement of the controversial vaccine Dengvaxia was not funded under the 2016 national budget.
During the Senate hearing into the government’s vaccination program Monday, Garin said that the acquisition of the dengue vaccines was financed under the miscellaneous personnel fund.
“Yes, wala siya sa General Appropriations Act. Wala siya sa plano sa 2016. But it was in the pipeline because it’s part of the dengue prevention and control strategy given to all countries,” she said.
Garin also clarified that the vaccines were bought by the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, not by the DOH. The memorandum of agreement between the DOH and PCMC for the transfer of funds and procurement of vaccines was finalized on Feb. 19, 2016.
“It has never come to my attention to question the integrity of PCMC. As far as I know, the PCMC operates in transparency and its dealings are all above board,” she said.
But PCMC Executive Director Julius Lecciones said Garin ordered him to procure the vaccines.
The government spent P3.5 billion for the purchase of the Dengvaxia vaccines for the mass immunization program, which was rolled out in April 2016 during the term of Garin.
DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said the agency would demand the French pharmaceutical giant to refund the amount paid by the government.
DOH suspended the mass immunization program on December 1, one day after the Sanofi Pasteur's disclosed that the vaccine poses a threat to those who had no prior dengue infection.
More than 860,000 people have been vaccinated with Dengvaxia. Over 830,000 children were vaccinated in schools and communities, while another 32,000 people were immunized in private hospitals.
READ: Duque: Sanofi ‘not forthright’ on Dengvaxia risks
Gordon hints possible ‘conspiracy’
Senate blue ribbon chair Sen. Richard Gordon said he is “disturbed” by the approval of the purchase of the controversial dengue vaccines, saying it was “too fast.”
“Gaano ba kabilis makakuha ng special allotment release order? Gaano ba kabilis makakuha ng pondo sa Department of Budget and Management? Aba magnonobena ka ng tatlong libong beses bago ka makapaglabas ng pera. Pero ito napakabilis ng paglabas ng pera,” Gordon said.
Gordon, who presented the timeline on the Dengvaxia deal, believes a “conspiracy” was at work to hasten the implementation of the vaccination program.
“Merong very, very strong signs na parang may conspiracy. Unang-una, wala sa GAA ‘yung budget para sa dengue vaccine. Pangalawa, isiningit lang nila ‘yan. Gumawa sila ng paraan para isingit,” he said.
But Garin maintained that she is not involved in any corruption, noting that the move to procure Dengvaxia was an “institutional decision.”
“I categorically deny any wrongdoing. I am not involved in any corruption. I am willing to be investigated,” she said.
The former health chief added: “Ang desisyon sa pagbili ng Dengvaxia ay resulta ng dekadang pag-aaral at pag-plano ng Department of Health.”
READ: Garin: Decision on Dengvaxia based on 'data available at the time'
On Dec. 10, 2015, Garin submitted a proposal to the DBM for the procurement of three million doses of dengue vaccine—nine days after the former health chief met with Sanofi executives in Paris, France.
DBM issued a SARO to the DOH to cover the procurement of the dengue vaccine on Dec. 29, 2015.
READ: DOH suspends dengue immunization program over potential health risk