Garin asks docs to delay appendicitis operation to attend Senate hearing

Former Health Secretary Janette Garin INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/RAFFY LERMA

TACLOBAN CITY—Embattled former Health Secretary Janette Garin has been confined in a private hospital in this city since Friday morning due to acute appendicitis.

Speaking through her staff Nancy Almasco, Garin, 44, said she would try to ask her doctors to delay her operation so she could attend on Monday the hearing of the controversial anti-dengue immunization drive that she implemented when she was health secretary.

“She would like to have a media interview but her present condition prohibits her from doing so. In fact, her doctors have advised her not to do things that could cause any stress,” Almasco said.

She said Garin experienced severe abdominal pain on Friday and was rushed immediately at the Divine Word Hospital where her doctors discovered she was suffering from acute appendicitis.

Garin is in Tacloban to bring the remains of her father, Jose, who died on Dec. 4 to his hometown in Baybay City, Leyte.

Garin, who is married to Rep. Oscar “Richard” Garin Jr. of Iloilo’s 1st district, belongs to a big political clan in Leyte.

Her brother is Leyte Vice Gov. Carlo Loreto while brothers Leyte Gov. Leopoldo Dominico Petilla and former energy secretary Jericho Petilla are her cousins. Her family has a house in Tacloban.

Loreto said his sister is eager to attend the Senate hearing on the P3.5-billion anti-dengue vaccine controversy on Monday.

“She would like to ask her doctors if (it’s possible for her not to undergo operations) because she wants to attend the hearing this Monday,” Loreto said.

He also said Garin wished to have the operation done in Tacloban and will face any media interview once she has fully recovered.

Garin has denied any irregularities on the procurement of the P3.5 billion anti-dengue vaccine.

In an earlier statement, she said the vaccination program plan started even before her stint at DOH.

“I will answer all questions at the right time and in the appropriate forum. Will also await clarity from DOH and (World Health Organization) as they are the authorities on this,” she said in a statement.#