Gordon berates Garin over ‘kilometric’ answers

Senator Richard Gordon scolded former Health Secretary Janette Garin for giving “kilometric” answers during a Senate hearing on Thursday.

At the hearing of the Senate blue ribbon committee, which he chairs, Gordon rejected Garin’s request to elaborate her answers.

“We’re running out of time,” the senator said.

“Your honor please,” the former health official said but Gordon repeatedly answered no.

“Every time we ask a question, you give a kilometric answer that goes East, South, North, West. Stick to the point,” Gordon told Garin.

“Yes your honor. My point is…” Garin said but she was cut off by the senator again.

“I know your point. We’re lawyers here. You’re a doctor; try to act like a doctor because what we’re trying to find out is the truth about how we decide on issues involving the safety of children here. Hindi palusot ang pinag uusapan natin…” Gordon said.

The senator later granted Garin’s request to invite experts in the committee’s hearing on anti-dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, which was used in the anti-dengue immunization program of the Department of Health (DOH) that was launched during her term.

“We will abide by your request. We’ll get the experts to get here. But don’t try give kilometric answers. I’ve noticed that about you,” Gordon said.

Earlier in the hearing, Gordon repeatedly demanded Garin to just answer yes or no to his questions.            /kga