MANILA — Former Department of Health (DOH) secretary Janette Garin on Wednesday described as “full of half-truths” Senator Richard Gordon’s recommendations based on the draft findings on the Dengvaxia vaccination investigation by the Senate’s Blue Ribbon Committee.
“I believe that the narrative is full of inaccuracies and half-truths, which reflects only the long perceived pre-judgment of the issue by Senator Gordon,” Garin said in a statement.
The former health chief said the draft was one-sided and replete with innuendos of expedited government action.
“Timely and responsive government action is not a violation of the law. Moreover, the ‘report’ is just the personal opinion of Senator Gordon, which has not been vetted by the Senate,” Garin added.
She also denied the accusation that the implementation of the Dengvaxia vaccination was done hastily.
“It was former secretary Ona who declared that there was a dengue epidemic when he was secretary of health,” Garin said, adding that her successor, former secretary Paulyn Ubial, even expanded the anti-dengue program, an indication of the importance of the immunization program.
Noting that her conscience is clear, Garin said she is ready to face the accusation against her.
“I am ready to answer any charge that will be filed in the proper forum,” she added. (Leilani Junio/PNA)
