MANILA – Public Attorneys Office (PAO) chief Persida Rueda-Acosta on Monday said time is crucial in abating the public health menace brought about by the Dengvaxia anti-dengue vaccine.
This, as she vowed that PAO will leave no stone unturned in going after those liable for the incident.
“Politics has nothing to do with this. I am not a candidate, I am also not appointed and we are public servants. We should all do our part so that the children affected by this get the help they need,” Acosta told reporters, after appearing at the resumption of the hearing on the Dengvaxia controversy before the Department of Justice investigation panel on Monday.
Acosta added that in the case of respondent corporate officials, at least three have fled to France with which the Philippines has no extradition treaty.
She said they are still consolidating a fresh batch of nine victims who will file criminal charges by the end of October.
The families accused the respondents of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide under Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC); for torture resulting to the death of a person and torture of a child under Republic Act 9745, also known as the Act Penalizing Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment; obstruction of justice under Section 1(b) of Presidential Decree 1829; and violation of Section 3 of Republic Act 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The PAO underscored the bad faith of vaccine manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur Inc., which along with distributor Zuellig Pharma Corporation, which were included as respondents in the complaints.
The corporate directors and officers of Sanofi named in the complaint are Carlito Realuyo, Sanislas Camart, Jean Louis Grunwald, Jean-Francois Vacherand, Conchita Santos, Jazel Anne Calvo, Pearl Grace Cabali, and Marie Esther De Antoni.
While, those from Zuellig are Kasigod Jamias, Michael Becker, Ricardo Romulo, Imran Babar Chugtai, Raymund Azurin, Nilo Badiola, John Stokes Davison, Marc Franck, Ashley Gerard Antonio, Ana Liza Peralta, Rosa Maria Chua, Danilo Cahoy, Manuel Concio III, Roland Goco, and Ma. Visitacion Barreiro. (Benjamin Pulta/PNA)
