MANILA, Philippines — More officials of the previous administration would be criminally charged over the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine, Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida Rueda-Acosta bared yesterday.
In an interview, Acosta said the complaint against former health secretary Janette Garin and 34 others filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) by families of four schoolchildren who died after being inoculated with the anti-dengue vaccine last week was only the first of a series of charges.
“That’s only the first batch of complaints covering four deaths. We have documents on 43 deaths so far, so definitely, there are more complaints coming,” the PAO chief revealed.
Acosta hinted that the charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide under Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code and violation of Republic Act No. 9745 (Anti-Torture Act) might include more respondents.
“We are still waiting for the result and recommendation of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee headed by Sen. (Richard) Gordon as well as the recommendation by the House on the liabilities of higher officials like former president (Benigno) Aquino (III). Whatever the recommendations will be, we will follow,” she said.
Acosta also revealed that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will file a separate complaint against former officials involving the procurement of the P3.5-billion vaccines from manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur Inc. and distributor Zuellig Pharma Corp.
“The DOJ divided the task for the PAO and the NBI. Our investigation focused on death and illnesses while the NBI was assigned to look into the procurement aspect,” she explained.
Among those being looked into by the NBI is the possible liability of Aquino and former budget secretary Florencio Abad, who both approved the funding of the immunization program reportedly without undergoing the proper procurement procedures.
Keeping guard up
Meanwhile, the DOH is keeping its guard up on maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) to prevent these from becoming “collateral damage” of the Dengvaxia fiasco.
“We already eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus and hopefully, this will not be a collateral damage because of the controversy surrounding Dengvaxia,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said in an interview.
Last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nation’s Children’s Fund declared that the Philippines has already eliminated MNT.
On its website, the WHO describes MNT as “among the most common life threatening consequences of unclean deliveries and umbilical cord care practices, and are indicators of inequity in access to immunization and other maternal, newborn and child health services.”
Duque noted the Philippines is the 44th country in the world to eliminate MNT despite the numerous challenges to reach every isolated and conflict-affected community. –Sheila Crisostomo