New Dengvaxia raps filed vs Garin, others

Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Fri, 13 Dec 2019 09:09:36 +0000

JANETTE Loreto Garin

Former Health Secretary and current Iloilo First District Representative Janette Loreto Garin and her co-respondents face fresh complaints over their alleged liability over the deaths of children who received shots of the still experimental anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia.

The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) filed before the Department of Justice (DoJ) on Friday morning two complaints on behalf of the families of the victims.

The two latest complaints brought to a total of 57 cases which have been filed by the PAO on behalf of families before the DoJ.

Meanwhile, PAO Chief Persida Acosta has vowed to file more complaints before the DoJ.
Acosta noted that the PAO forensic team has already autopsied a total of 150 suspected Dengvaxia victims.

“Sa January maaring I-file na po namin yung nalalabi sa isang daan limampung patay,” Acosta told reporters.

The two latest complaints involve the deaths of Levon Zirine Santos, who was 10-years-old when he died on November 18, 2018, and Shekina Venice Arciaga who was 13-years-old when she passed away just last October 28.

Each of the victims received three shots of the vaccine.

In the complaints, the families accused the respondents of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide under Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC); and for torture of children and torture resulting the deaths in violation of Sections 4 (ii) and (14) in relation to Section 14 (a) (1) and (5), and 15 of Republic Act 9745 (An Act Penalizing Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment).

The respondents were also accused of violating RA 7394 (The Consumer Act of the Philippines), particularly, Articles 89 (mislabeled drugs and devices), 97 (liability for defective products), and 100 (liability for product and service imperfection) in relation to Articles 95 (penalties) and 107 (penalties).

Aside from Garin, the respondents include current and former Department of Health (DOH) officials, namely, Dr. Vicente Belizario Jr., Dr. Kenneth Hartigan-Go, Dr. Gerardo Bayugo, Dr.
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