‘Ubial as liable as Garin in Dengvaxia case’

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said yesterday former Department of Health (DOH) secretary Paulyn Ubial is equally liable as her predecessor Janette Garin in the Dengvaxia controversy for expanding the vaccination program.

Gatchalian said he signed the report prepared by Sen. Richard Gordon, Blue Ribbon committee chairman, on the inquiry into the Dengvaxia vaccination program of the DOH but with reservations.

Just like some of his colleagues who read the Gordon report, Gatchalian said he did not agree that former president Benigno Aquino III is criminally liable for the Dengvaxia program.

Gatchalian said Ubial should be held criminally liable for the controversy because from being school-based, the vaccination program became community-based when she became DOH secretary, which resulted in more individuals being administered Dengvaxia.

“In my mind, we can’t hide the fact that Ubial administered new cases of Dengvaxia, so she is equally liable just like secretary Garin,” Gatchalian said. 

Gatchalian said Ubial cannot invoke how she was supposedly pressured by some legislators during her confirmation hearing before the Commission on Appointments to continue the Dengvaxia program. 

“This is not a valid reason. Why give in to pressure from politicians when what is at stake here are the lives of the children?” he said. 

Aquino not criminally liable 

As for Aquino, Gatchalian said the former president merely relied on the advice of Garin since she was the one with the medical background and knowledge of the technical aspects of the vaccine.

“PNoy (Aquino) is not a doctor so he relies on the advice of his (health) secretary, especially on medical and technical matters. He relied on former secretary Garin on Dengvaxia,” Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian, who admitted feeling hurt by the cases filed against their family during the Aquino administration, said he wants to be fair rather than vindictive. “We really have to do what is right,” he said.

The senator said Aquino might be accountable for the whole program being the top official responsible for all the actions of government, but “in principle, I do not see there was bad faith on the part of the former president.”

He said ordinary people or non-doctors could not possibly understand and decide on a medical program without the advice from experts.

Gatchalian said the report will certainly become a subject of heated debates among senators, especially Gordon’s recommendations involving Aquino.

Gatchalian said Garin was responsible for pursuing the administration of the anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia to public school students and for rushing the implementation of the program.

A total of nine senators have signed the committee report but many of the senators have clarified that they would introduce amendments or raise questions in plenary regarding some of the recommendations. 

At least two senators – Antonio Trillanes IV and Panfilo Lacson – have stated they would not sign the report because they did not agree with the findings of Gordon.

Based on the committee report, Gordon recommended the filing of charges against Aquino, Garin, former budget secretary Florencio Abad and other officials in connection with the vaccination program.