Chiz, Angara disagree with Gordon on crime raps vs. Aquino over Dengvaxia

More senators have disagreed with the portion of the Blue Ribbon Committee draft report that former President Benigno Aquino III is criminally liable for his administration's procurement and use of Dengvaxia in its anti-dengue program.

Senator Francis Escudero said Friday he agreed with the findings of the committee as presented by Senator Richard Gordon but not on the part that recommended criminal complaints filed against the former President.

“I concurred as regards their findings and recommendations regarding Sanofi and DOH (Department of Health) but dissented in the inclusion of PNoy (Aquino’s nickname),” Escudero said in a text message to reporters.

Senator Edgardo Angara, blue ribbon committee vice-chairperson, said he already signed the report “with some reservations.”

"I expressed disagreement with the part of the committee report which sees the former president as criminally liable," Angara told GMA News Online.

"I think a President should be able to reasonably rely on the advice given to him by health experts, so long as this advice is not patently unlawful or dangerous," he added.

He, on the other hand, agreed with the report’s recommendations regarding coming up with a children’s support fund and stronger public health institutions.

Senator Grace Poe also said she had reservations as regards the Gordon report.

All three ran under the Aquino administration's senatoria slate in 2013.

Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Aquino's party mate in the Liberal Party, has opposed the blue ribbon report saying there was no conclusive scientific evidence to support the conclusion that any of the reported deaths were in any way connected to Dengvaxia as he pressed for the matter to be studied by qualified pathologists.

He also found no basis for the committee’s recommendation to file charges against the former President and his officials for violation of the Revised Penal Code, Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Civil Code and Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“Upon careful review of the draft report, I would like to inform you that I disagree with its findings, conclusions and recommendations. Thus, in accordance with Rule XI, Section 24 of the Rules of the Senate, I am formally entering my objection thereto and submitting herewith my dissenting vote,” he said in his 30-page dissenting vote.

Senator JV Ejercito, health committee chairman, said that he already signed the report but he does not agree that Aquino was one of the main conspirators.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said he is not convinced that Aquino is criminally liable but the latter is accountable for the program.

Senator Nancy Binay said she also signed the report but she intends to interpellate and propose amendments once it is tackled in the plenary.

"Sa akin ‘yung committee report, it's not yet the final report. I mean, pagdedebatehan at pag-uusapan pa 'yan at ide-defend pa 'yan sa floor. So hintayin na lang natin 'yung magiging deliberation na magaganap sa floor,” she said

Senator Panfilo Lacson said he will not sign the blue ribbon committee's report on the Dengvaxia controversy following Senator Richard Gordon's "unreasonable statements.”

He earlier said he finds it difficult to believe that Aquino is capable of graft and corruption having worked with the former President both in the Senate and Malacañang.

Senator Antonio Trillanes described Gordon’s report as a publicity stunt and said it would not scrutiny on the Senate floor.

“It won’t even reach to that point that it will be voted on. I don’t think it will pass the period of interpellation, it will not stand the scrutiny of the senators,” Trillanessaid.

Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, a cousin of the former president, expressed no surprise that the former President was being blamed.

“Alam naman natin na ang favorite punching bag ng administrasyon, ang mga nakaraang mga pinuno. So hindi naman ako nagtataka na ganun pa rin ang nangyayari sa issue na ito," Aquino said.

"At makikita natin iyan, hindi lang naman itong report, pero kahit ang ibang mga ahensiya, tila ginawang punching bag na talaga ang mga nakaraang mga pinuno natin. So, palagay ko wala namang nagulat doon,” he added.

Gordon earlier said Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III and Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri had already signed the report.

In presenting the draft report, Gordon said Aquino, former Budget secretary Florencio Abad, former Health secretary Janette Garin, and other officials are "primary conspirators" and must be held criminally liable for "all the tragedy, damage, and possible deaths" resulting from the Dengvaxia mass vaccination program.

He added that Aquino, Garin, Abad and other government officials should be investigated and prosecuted for graft and violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. —NB, GMA News