Committee chair Sen. Richard Gordon (left), Dengvaxia vaccine (middle) and Former President Benigno Aquino III (right)
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has released report on its investigation on the Dengvaxia controversy.
The committee has recommended the filing of graft and corruption case against former President Benigno Aquino III with some of his former Cabinet members.
“Dahil di natin ma-prove kung tumanggap sila ng pera. So, ang maganda rito whether they profit or not, pwede silang kasuhan. Lahat yan pumapataw kay President Aquino, kay Secretary Garin, kay Florencio Abad, Juliues Lecciones because sila ay public officer, may contract, may transactions in behalf of the government,” said the committee chair Sen. Richard Gordon.
Based on the committee report, there was a conspiracy between the former president and former Health Secretary Janette Garin to use government funds to procure the anti-dengue vaccine.
The said multi-billion peso fund could not have been used if former president and former Budget Secretary Florencio Abad had not approved it.
The former president is said to be accountable because he had caused the purchase of Dengvaxia.
Filing of charges against other officials of the health department was also recommended.
They include Health Assistant Secretary Lyndon Lee Suy for perjury, for making false testimony.
Doctors Julius Lecciones, Kenneth Hartigan–Go, Lourdes Santiago, Melody Zamudio, Joyce Ducusin and Mario Baquilod for allegedly violating the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
These officials will also face administrative charges.
The Blue Ribbon committee also recommended to the Philippine Embassy in France to study the possible legal action against Sanofi Pasteur.
Meanwhile, the camp of Aquino said, he has always been ready to answer questions in the Congress’ inquiry on the Dengvaxia controversy.
According to Atty. Abigail Valte, the legal counsel of Aquino, the former president is ready to face any additional charges that will be filed against him regarding the Dengvaxia anomaly. — Nel Maribojoc | UNTV News & Rescue
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