Mass murder, plunder raps filed vs. Aquino, Garin over Dengvaxia controversy

MANILA, Philippines — Former president Benigno Aquino III and health secretary Janette Garin are facing mass murder and plunder complaints over the 3.5-billion worth of Dengvaxia vaccines.

Former Education and Skills Development chief Augusto Syjuco Jr. filed the complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman Friday.

Syjuco called the mass vaccination, which began during Aquino’s administration, “illegal, unjust, improper, inefficient, life-threatening and outright unconscionable.”

“Its life-threatening effects supposedly transpire 30 months after inoculation which is now fast approaching since Aquino [who is] irresponsible, demented started its dreaded and reckless usage on 733,000 nine-year-olds and older as human ‘guinea pigs,’” Syjuco said.

Syjuco called the Dengvaxia controversy the “Mamasapano” of the health sector.

In 2015, Syjuco filed complaint against Aquino over the botched Mamasapano operation, which led to the deaths of 44 members of the Special Action Force, 18 from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and five civilians.  

The complainant, however, admitted he has no evidence to back his charges against Aquino except for news articles.

Syjuco is facing one count each for violations of Sections 3 (e) and 3 (h) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and malversation of public funds.

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio also recommended to sue Aquino, Garin and former budget chief Butch Abad of plunder.

READ: Noy on vaccine: We wanted to save lives

Aquino, who attended Thursday’s Senate inquiry into the Dengvaxia controversy, justified his administration’s decision to implement the vaccination program, saying he wanted to save lives.

“If the report of Sanofi did not come out, and I decided to let ordinary Filipinos suffer when there is already a vaccine, I think your questions and charges against me will be different: ‘Why did you neglect your countrymen?’” Aquino said in Filipino.

The former chief executive stressed that local and international processes were followed, adding that nobody expressed objection against the use of Dengvaxia.

“Let me also stress: Dengvaxia was not only approved in the Philippines. Mexico and Brazil came before us. Let me point out further: in my opinion and understanding, it has gone through all the processes to find out its efficacy and more importantly, its safety,” Aquino said.

READ: Aquino: No one objected to Dengvaxia use

Earlier this month, the DOH suspended its dengue vaccination program following an analysis from Sanofi Pasteur that Dengaxia poses risk to people without prior infection.

In 2015, Aquino approved the realignment of the vaccination fund from the budget to purchase three million doses of Dengvaxia from Sanofi Pasteur.