Garin on criminal suit filed by 21 kids: I welcome it

FILE – Former Health secretary Janette Loreto-Garin testifies at the Senate probe into Dengvaxia, the dengue vaccine procured and used for an immunization program during the Aquino administration.
INQUIRER PHOTO/LYN RILLON

ILOILO CITY – Former Health secretary Janette Garin is unfazed with the filing of a criminal complaint on behalf of 21 children in relation to the controversy surrounding the Dengvaxia vaccine.

“I welcome the filing of the case so that once and for all, we can put this issue to rest and see who is telling the truth,” Garin told the Inquirer in a telephone interview on Friday.

Garin said they will face the complaint, adding that she cannot blame the complainants because “there are people who are sowing panic.”

She said they are confident that they will be vindicated in their decision to implement the vaccination program.

She said the DOH implemented the program which was already being planned even before she became the secretary of the Department of Health.

“We stand by our decision (that was based) on the information presented by both internal and external experts,” Garin said.