DOJ withdraws raps vs. Garin, others over dengue vaccine

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the withdrawal of the charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide that were filed against former Health Secretary Janette Garin and others in connection with the Dengvaxia vaccine.

In a resolution, the DOJ said it does not find a prima facie case with reasonable certainty of conviction against the respondents Garin, Dr. Gerardo Bayugo and Dr. Ma Joyce Ducusin. 

Due to this, the department ordered the Prosecutor General to withdraw the information filed against them before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court. 

“In the absence of malicious intent on the part of the respondents-appellants, they cannot be held liable for conspiring and confederating with one another to commit reckless imprudence,” the DOJ said.

Aside from this, the DOJ noted that a Certificate of Product Registration was issued by the Food and Drug Administration for the vaccine while the students underwent health assessment before receiving it. 

It also said that the vaccine was purchased and distributed following a rigorous bidding process that was in accordance with existing laws.

“In the scheme of things that transpired involving Dengvaxia, we found that the step-by-step procedures undertaken by respondents-appellants, leading to the implementation of the program do not exhibit inexcusable lack of precaution to hold them liable for reckless imprudence resulting to homicide,” it said.

GMA News Online has sought comment from Garin, who is now a congresswoman, but has yet to receive a response as of posting time. 

In 2017, the FDA ordered the suspension of the sale, distribution, and marketing of the Dengvaxia vaccine and the withdrawal of the product from the market.

This came a week after Dengvaxia manufacturer Sanofi warned that the vaccine may cause severe diseases in the long run for those who have not been infected by dengue prior to the vaccination.—LDF, GMA Integrated News