Dengvaxia case: DOJ to summon ex-President Aquino, others

The Department of Justice (DOJ) panel of prosecutors is set to issue summons to former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, former Health Sec. Janette Garin, former Budget Sec. Florencio Abad and other officials of the Department of Health (DOH) and pharmaceutical company officials in relation to the Dengue Immunization Program.

During Friday’s preliminary investigation, the DOJ panel led by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Rossane Balauag said that all the 44 respondents would be summoned to appear before the panel on May 15 at 10 a.m.

Aside from Aquino, Abad and Garin, other respondents include DOH Undersecretaries Carol Tainio, Gerardo Bayugo, Lilibeth David, and Mario Villaverde; former Usecs Nemesio Gako, Vicente Belizario Jr. and Kenneth Hartigan Go; and DOH Assistant Secretaries Lyndon Lee Suy, Nestor Santiago.

Also included in the complaint are officials from the pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur, Inc. led by its chairman and president Carlito Realuyo, and its local distributor Zuellig PharmaCorp. led by its chairman American national Michael Becker.

The complaint was for multiple homicide and physical injuries through negligence, as well as violation of Republic Act no. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act); RA 9184 or the Government Procurement, Reform Act,  and Technical malversation. It was filed by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) and the Vanguard of the Philippine Constitution, Inc. (VPCI).

VACC lawyer Manuelito Luna also informed the panel that he has been appointed as commissioner to the Philippine Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) and he would assume the position in 10 days.

But he said that while he would still be a complainant in the case.

To take his place as the VACC lawyer in the case is former Biliran Rep. Glenn Chong.

READ: Complaint filed vs Aquino, 19 others over Dengvaxia mess       /muf

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