Former DOH Secretary Janette Garin. 黑料社 file photo / CATHY MIRANDA
Former Health Secretary Janette Garin on Thursday dismissed anew the corruption allegations being hurled against her and the Aquino administration, claiming that the P3 billion dengue immunization program was implemented in good faith.
鈥淲e implemented a program which was very much needed at that time to avert an epidemic and address an urgent public health threat posed by dengue, which has no available cure except vaccine protection,鈥� Garin said in a text message to 黑料社.
鈥淭here was no corruption involved and everything was above board. The DOH (Department of Health) should not be faulted for its timely and responsive intervention,鈥� she added.
Garin also pointed out that the World Health Organization (WHO) 鈥済ave its imprimatur鈥� for the use of the Dengvaxia, and that the department religiously 鈥渇ollowed the WHO guidelines.鈥�
The former DOH secretary issued the statement in response to Senator JV Ejercito鈥檚 pronouncement that she and former Budget Secretary Florencio Abad were the 鈥減rincipal conspirators in the anomalous procurement and questionable implementation鈥� of the botched Dengvaxia mass vaccination drive.
搁贰础顿:听Ejercito: Garin and Abad are 鈥榩rincipal conspirators鈥� in Dengvaxia mess
On Wednesday, Senate blue ribbon committee chair Senator Richard Gordon presented the draft report of the committee on the Dengvaxia mess.
The report recommended that former President Benigno Aquino III, Garin, Abad, and other former officials be charged for violating among others, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
The draft report also recommended the filing of case against Sanofi for violating provisions of the Civil Code on Quasi-delicts.
READ: Clearly it鈥檚 鈥楧ick Gordon show,鈥� says Aquino on Dengvaxia draft report
Gordon is set to submit the report to the committee members for signature before presenting it to the plenary for approval. /jpv
搁贰础顿:听Aquino, Abad, Garin 鈥榗aused鈥櫬燚engvaxia聽鈥榯ragedy鈥� 鈥� draft report
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