MANILA, Philippines — Former Health Secretary Janette Garin asked state prosecutors to allow the testimony of a “forensic expert” as the Department of Justice continues its probe into the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine.
Garin asked the panel of state prosecutors to accept the affidavit of Dr. Raymundo Lo, who she said is “an expert pathologist specializing in Anatomic and Clincal Pathology.”
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“In the interest of substantial justice, there is an imperative need for this expert witness’ testimony to be admitted and considered in the light of the medical and scientific issues at hand,” Garin said.
She added that Lo’s “expert opinion will be very helpful and enlightening to the panel of investigators in order to ferret out the truth and dispel misleading medical ‘conclusions’ that have polluted the case.”
But the complainants—represented by Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Acosta—said that the contents of Lo’s affidavit would be better tackled in a full-blown trial.
PAO stressed that the “evidence of the complainants... is more than enough to establish the existence of probable cause, nay, of respondent Dr. Garin’s guilt.”
It also argued that Lo is working with the Philippine Children’s Medical Center when Dengvaxia was purchased, and the doctor is expected to defend the purchase of the vaccine.
They also noted that Lo claimed that Dr. Erwin Erfe, from PAO, is “unqualified to conduct examinations,” since the latter is a physician and not a pathologist.
But PAO claimed that Erfe is a medicolegal and had conducted forensic examinations on more than 5,000 patients.
The DOJ is set to wrap up its probe next month, but Acosta said that more cases on the controversial vaccine would be filed on October 30. — Kristine Joy Patag