Garin denies reports she is subject of arrest order over Dengvaxia issue

Former health secretary and now Representative Janette Loreto-Garin on Saturday denied reports that a Quezon City Regional Trial Court judge issued an order for her arrest, and three others in relation to the deaths of children allegedly linked the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine.

"This news, yet again, is another attempt to mislead and condition the public's mind," Garin said in a statement, claiming that some journalists have maligned her without verification.

"No warrant of arrest has been issued. The Court document stated: 'The record shows that some accused, namely Dr. Janette L. Garin, Stanislas Camart, Jean Louis Grunwald, Jean Francois Vacherand have not yet filed their bail bonds. They are directed to inform the Court if they have already filed their bail bond in other courts and to furnish this Court a copy of the courts order approving their bond so that the Court can likewise approve the same without them filing a new bail bond within 3 days from receipt of this order, otherwise a warrant of arrest will be issued against them,'" Garin said.

Citing the same Court document, Garin said the bail bonds posted before Muntinlupa City, Imus, Cavite and other courts were considered already filed before the Quezon City court.

But should the Court miss her records, Garin said she would furnish them a copy of her documents.

"Walang katotohanan na kami o ako ay pinapahuli sapagkat sumusunod ang ating mga korte at mga hukom sa proseso ng tunay na hustisya," she said, adding that the first batch of cases filed against them regarding the Dengvaxia vaccine were dismissed.

One court has yet to issue their decision, according to Garin.

"Science have proven that the vaccine did not and could not cause deaths. Only in the Philippines do we believe dramatic lawyers and fake pathologists over real doctors and scientists," the former health secretary maintained.

"Let us be wary with news that tends to condition the public to sow hatred and form negative opinions about others. Science and truth is on our side. We continuously pray for justice," Garin said.

Last February, the Department of Justice (DOJ) indicted Garin and several other health officials over children's deaths allegedly linked to Dengvaxia.

Garin, nine officials of the Department of Health (DOH), and officials of the Food and Drug Administration, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, and vaccine maker Sanofi Pasteur, Inc. were charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide. —LBG, GMA News