(Eagle News)—Former President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday denied allegations he and some of his Cabinet officials violated the Omnibus Election Code when they implemented the anti-dengue vaccine program in 2016.
In a press briefing after his appearance before the Commission on Elections, Aquino said the vaccine Dengvaxia, which was used for the program, was purchased on March 9, 2016.
He said this was way before the 2016 election ban on disbursements specified in the election code.
The ban, he said, took effect on March 25, 2016.
“The job of protecting the people’s health cannot be held in abeyance by elections,” Aquino later told reporters.
Dr. Francis Cruz and the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption accused Aquino, then-Health Secretary Janette Garin, then-Budget Secretary Butch Abad and 16 others of violating the election code last month.
In a nine-page joint complaint-affidavit they said that P3.5 billion in public funds were released during Aquino’s term for the procurement of Dengvaxia 45 days before the May 2016 national polls.