MANILA, Philippines — Senator Richard Gordon said on Sunday that the public should not “politicize” the Dengvaxia issue amid calls of resignation against Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Acosta.
According to Gordon, the issue has been placed under a “legitimate investigation involving corruption.”
“Nag-procure sila. Tayo ang ginamit na guinea pig. Binakunahan ang marami nang walang pasubali, na hindi ini-inform ang parents na puwedeng magkasakit ang bata kung hindi pa nababakunahan,” Gordon, who chairs the Senate blue ribbon committee that conducted an inquiry into the procurement of the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine, said in an interview with dzBB.
“Bagamat wala pa kaming scientific finding na ito’y nakakamatay, meron ding indication na kapag binakunahan… maaaring maging malubhang-malubha ang binakunahan na hindi pa nababakunahan noon at maaaring ikamatay,” he added.
Gordon then reiterated his call that former President Benigno Aquino III, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Health Secretary Janette Garin, and other government officials should be held accountable regarding the case.
READ: Gordon: ‘Aquino should apologize for Dengvaxia mess’
He also defended Acosta from the calls that the latter should resign for causing fear among the public over getting a vaccine.
According to him, Acosta was only doing her job and has not caused hysteria on vaccination.
“Hindi naman ako pabor doon dahil at least masigasig siya sa mahihirap. Okay na sa akin ‘yun. Pagbigyan na natin ‘yun,” he said.
“Persistent talaga siya, and I give her credit for that. Kung hindi mo gagawin ‘yan, hindi matatakot itong mga [Department of Health],” Gordon added.
Senator Risa Hontiveros earlier called on Acosta to step down from her position as the chief of Public Attorney’s Office for “scaremongering” during her “politically-motivated investigations” on Dengvaxia.
According to Hontiveros, Acosta’s “lies and hysterics contributed directly to the erosion of public trust in our vaccination programs” since it caused fears among parents to have their children vaccinated. /je
READ: Hontiveros to Acosta: ‘Resign your post’