Lawmaker Calls DOJ’s Dengvaxia Decision a ‘Victory for Public Health’

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Former Department of Health (DOH) secretary and now Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin described the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) withdrawal of 98 Dengvaxia-related criminal cases as a reaffirmation of truth and justice in public health.

“This decision is a victory for truth, justice, and science. It affirms that public health decisions based on sound evidence and expert guidance cannot be tainted by baseless accusations,” Garin said in a statement shared with the Daily Guardian.

She welcomed the DOJ’s decision with gratitude and renewed commitment, emphasizing that “justice has prevailed.”

On January 27, the DOJ ordered the withdrawal of all reckless imprudence resulting in homicide charges against Garin, Dr. Gerardo Bayugo, and Dr. Ma. Joyce Ducusin, citing insufficient evidence and the lack of a prima facie case.

The DOJ highlighted that no malicious intent was found in the actions of the officials, and no causal link could be established between the Dengvaxia vaccine and the reported deaths of children.

It also noted that significant time had elapsed between the vaccinations and the reported incidents.

The DOJ further emphasized that the vaccine was procured through a rigorous bidding process and had been issued a Certificate of Product Registration by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“It’s only in the Philippines that Dengvaxia has been ridiculously accused of ‘causing death.’ Globally, it has been recognized as a safe and effective vaccine that prevents severe dengue and saves lives,” Garin stressed.

She also raised concerns over the delays in resolving the cases, blaming the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) for prolonging the process unnecessarily.

“The case build-up should have been completed long ago, but instead, it is still being prolonged unnecessarily. The PAO continues to delay case resolution, consuming taxpayer money with no accountability,” Garin said.

She further called for transparency on the funds spent by PAO in pursuing the Dengvaxia cases, asserting that public health had been politicized.

The DOH launched the Dengvaxia vaccination campaign in April 2016 in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Metro Manila, where around 700,000 schoolchildren received at least one vaccine dose.

In November 2017, Sanofi Pasteur disclosed that the vaccine could increase disease severity for individuals without prior dengue infection. Following this announcement, the FDA suspended Dengvaxia’s sale and distribution.