MANILA — Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida Rueda-Acosta on Monday said they will be assisting the families of another batch of Dengvaxia vaccinees, who died from complications, in filing cases before the Department of Justice (DOJ) later this month.
At the resumption of the hearing at the DOJ, PAO assisted in the filing of rejoinders of the initial batch consisting of nine families.
The DOJ panel is conducting the preliminary investigation over the criminal complaints filed separately by the families of the nine dead children — Aejay Bautista, Anjielica Pestillos, Lenard Baldonado, Zandro Colite, Abbie Hedia, Jansyn Art Bataa, Mark Axel Ebonia, Reijazztine Justin Alimagno, and Alexander Jaime.
The families accused the respondents of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide under Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC); for torture resulting in the death of a person and the 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.
Speaking to reporters, Acosta reiterated her plea for the creation of a special court to handle criminal and civil cases arising from the controversial vaccine which had been administered to thousands of school children before being withdrawn after the manufacturer acknowledged that the vaccine could afflict instead of inoculate children with dengue.
“These courts would help treatment and prevent deaths for thousands of children,” Acosta said, noting that most of those who were vaccinated are from low income families.
Acosta said government forensics experts had confirmed the adverse effects of the vaccine belatedly announced by the manufacturer on at least 92 victims.
She underscored the bad faith of vaccine manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur Inc., which along with distributor Zuellig Pharma Corporation, 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)
