Ex-health chief Garin posts bail for graft charges in Dengvaxia purchase

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 14) — Former health chief and now Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin has posted bail for charges filed against her over the school-based dengue vaccination program in 2016.

«We hope that this first step into cleansing our name can be dealt with timely so that scientists and doctors can perform our regular tasks,» Garin said on Monday.

Garin together with her other co-accused have also posted bail in cases of the alleged realignment and augmentation of funds for immunization also related to Dengvaxia.

Named as Garin's co-accused in the graft case filed before the Sandiganbayan were Department of Health (DOH) supply chain management director Joyce Ducusin, former Undersecretary Gerardo Bayugo, former Undersecretary Kenneth Hartigan-Go, and Philippine Children's Medical Center Executive Director Julius Lecciones.

«Resolving the issue once and for all is aligned to the Doctors for Truth clamor because global history have taught us that any vaccine demonized, usually spreads to include other vaccine preventable diseases and results to outbreaks,» Garin concluded.

READ: TIMELINE: The Dengvaxia controversy