DOJ use of Senate report in Dengvaxia probe ‘step in the right direction’ — Duque

Using the Senate blue ribbon committee report on the Dengvaxia controversy as evidence is "a step in the right direction" for the Department of Justice (DOJ) probe to take, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said on Wednesday.

"If it uses it as a basis for whatever complaints that have been filed against previous and present officials, that report is rich, that report is exhaustive and extensive," he continued.

The health secretary made the remarks after a press briefing held with Senator Richard Gordon, chair of the Senate blue ribbon committee.

Anti-corruption groups Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption and Vanguard of the Philippine Constitution Inc. informed the DOJ that they will use the blue ribbon report as evidence for their pending cases.

The VACC and the VPCI filed a criminal complaint against former President Benigno Aquino III, Health Secretary Janette Garin, and other officials  they believe were culpable for the dengue mass immunization program.

The report will be formally submitted along with their replies to counter-affidavits of the accused for the next DOJ hearing on June 22. — BM, GMA News