President Benigno S. Aquino III was not only ready but also confident that he would be able to answer in a Senate hearing on Thursday all “innuendos” thrown at him over the spoiled P3.5 billion anti-dengue immunization program involving Dengvaxia that started during his administration.
Aquino, and some of his Cabinet men, was invited to attend the ongoing investigation of the Senate blue ribbon committee on the issue.
Former President Benigno S. Aquino III at the Senate hearing on the controversial P3.5 billion anti-dengue immunization program of the Department of Health that commenced during his term. (INQUIRER.net / CATHY MIRANDA)
“I think we’re confident in our position. Saka may opportunity para naman masagot lahat ng mga innuendos na ibinabato kaliwa’t kanan,” he told reporters before the hearing.
Because of the issues raised against the vaccine, Aquino said he felt that it was incumbent upon him to try to “allay fears” and put the issue in the right perspective.
“I think with the announcement by Sanofi and the reactions to it, there has been a lot of tension building up. And I think it’s incumbent upon me even as a citizen to try and allay certain fears, put it in the proper perspective…,” he said.
The former leader was referring to French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur, which earlier admitted that its own vaccine might be harmful if administered to people not exposed to the disease.
Asked about possible corruptions that would be raised during the hearing, Aquino said: “Sasagutin ko kung anong tanong na ibabato nila.” /kga