(Eagle News) – Senator Richard Gordon denied there was anything “political” in the Senate blue ribbon committee’s Dengvaxia report, which was filed on Monday, April 30.
In a statement, Gordon said the aim of his panel’s investigation, after all, “has always been the protection of the children.”
“Kaya tayo nag-imbestiga to protect the children and to insulate the DOH (Department of Health) from politics na nakakasama sa kalusugan ng ating bayan,” he said.
He noted that “more than majority” of the panel members signed Senate Committee Report No. 368, which recommended the filing of charges against former President Benigno Aquino III, former Health Secretary Janette Garin, and former Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, among others.
According to the report, Aquino, Garin, Abad and other DOH and Bureau of Food and Drugs officials violated several sections of Republic Act (RA) 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and other laws in connection with the procurement and distribution of the Dengvaxia vaccine.
“Hindi natin gustong magdiin pero walang kaduda-duda na may kasalanan ang mga taong gumawa niyan dahil nanakit sila ng mga bata ng walang pakundangan. Walang pakundangang itinaya nila ang buhay ng halos isang milyong mga bata,” Gordon said.
The report also proposed the allocation of a portion of the P1.2 billion refunded by drug manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur for unused vaccines.
The money, the report said, would provide sufficient budget for monitoring, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of all children injected with Dengvaxia.
