PAO chief warns ex-DOH head against stopping Dengvaxia probe

Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Chief Persida Rueda-Acosta. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) on Sunday warned a former health secretary that she could be obstructing justice by trying to stop an investigation on the Dengvaxia controversy.

PAO Chief Persida Rueda-Acosta said former Health secretary Esperanza Cabral could be held liable for the deaths of probable victims of the anti-dengue vaccine if she would insist on stopping the probe.

“Obstruction of justice yan. Ang autopsy ay isinasagawa para malaman kung ano talaga yung cause of death, lalo kung may pagdududa yung mga magulang o asawa, o anak, o yung relatives doon sa nilalagay sa death certificate,” Acosta said over an interview with Radyo Inquirer 990 AM.

Acosta cited Presidential Decree No. 1829 that states “Penalizing Obstruction of Apprehension and Prosecution of Criminal Offenders.”

“Kung patuloy na hihirit sila na itigil (ang imbestigasyon), ay pwedeng makasuhan yang mga doctor na yan ng obstruction of justice kasi ang autopsy, ang purpose po ay malaman ang truth sa pagkamatay,” Acosta said

According to the PAO chief, her office would continue the investigation citing the order of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II.

“Walang utos [na itigil]. Ang marching order niya ituloy lang ito, at nakausap ko na rin yung isang Usec kahapon ng DOJ, ang sabi nila ‘Ituloy dahil may utos ang departamento’,” Acosta said.

On Saturday, Doctors for Public Welfare led by ex Secretary Cabral, said that it makes no sense to continue the probe of the PAO on the deaths of alleged Dengvaxia victims. /cbb

READ: Ex-health chief wants PAO’s Dengvaxia probe to stop