Also summoned were other current and former gov’t officials, Sanofi and Zuellig execs
(Eagle News)–The Department of Justice has summoned former President Benigno Aquino III, and his two Cabinet members in connection with the Dengvaxia mess.
The DOJ scheduled the preliminary investigation into the criminal complaint filed against Aquino, his Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and his Health Secretary Janette Garin, among others, on March 23, at 10 a.m.
Also summoned were other incumbent and former government officials—Health undersecretaries Carol Tanio, Gerardo Bayugo, Lilibeth David and Mario Villaverde; former undersecretaries Nemesio Gako, Vicente Belizario Jr. and Kenneth Hartigan-Go; assistant secretaries Lyndon Lee Suy and Nestor Santiago; former financial management service director Laureano Cruz; incumbent Department of Health directors Joyce Ducusin, May Wynn Belo, Leonila Gorgolon, Rio Magpantay, Ariel Valencia and Julius Lecciones; and Garin’s former executive assistant Yolanda Oliveros.
Senior executives of French pharmaceutical firm Sanofi Pasteur, which manufactured Dengvaxia, and of Zuellig Pharma, DOH’s supplier of the vaccine, were also summoned.
The complaint for criminal negligence and reckless imprudence, technical malversation causing undue injuries and for violation of the procurement law against them was filed by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption and the Vanguard of the Philippines Inc.
The complainants argued the accused should be held to task after they “anomalously and illegally funded and procured the Dengvaxia vaccine and ill-advisedly, thoughtlessly and imprudently implemented the dengue immunization” project.
A panel of prosecutors has been formed to look into the case.
Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Rossane Balauag will serve as chairperson, while Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Hazel Decena Valdez, Assistant State Prosecutor Consuelo Corazon Pazziuagan, and Assistant State Prosecutor Gino Paolo Santiago will serve as members.Moira Encina