Ex-DOH chief Garin says timeline shown in Senate probe on Dengvaxia mess distorted

Former Health Secretary Janette Garin on Wednesday said the timeline that was presented in the Senate blue ribbon committee detailing the procurement and implementation of the controversial dengue vaccine Dengvaxia was "distorted."

"Ang timeline po kasi na pinakita is a distorted timeline, dahil ang sabi nga namin, iba 'yung timeline ng FDA (Food and Drug Administration) kasi separate agency 'yun, iba naman ang timeline ng program directors, iba naman ang policy direction, iba naman ang Office of the President," Garin said in an interview on Unang Balita.

Senator Richard Gordon, chairperson of the Senate blue ribbon committee, presented the supposed timeline which started from November 9, 2014, the time when former President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III met with Jean-Luc Lowinski, the senior vice president in Asia of Sanofi at the Philippine Embassy in Beijing, People's Republic China.

Garin, meanwhile, said they are ready to present their documents and timeline that will show the truth regarding the controversy surrounding the government's dengue immunization program.

She also remained firm that the procurement of the dengue vaccine was not done in haste, saying that their integrity management report will show how it went through the proper protocol.

Asked whether the hearings in the Senate have been fair in allowing her to air her side, Garin said: "Ang hindi po patas, 'yung timeline. Because the timeline being shown was the timeline presented by Secretary Ubial which was refuted by our integrity management committee."

"Kaya nga mas maganda, magbigay kami ng aming mga dokumento and timelines para naman po makita 'yung katotohanan. Now, siguro kanya-kanyang style po iyan, depende po sa nagha-handle ng hearing. We just respect the process and we welcome the shift to the courts because it will be a venue wherein we can present all documents and it is a venue where I firmly believe myself and the DOH (Department of Health) officials will be vindicated."

At least 830,000 public school students have been vaccinated with Dengvaxia in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Metro Manila, and Cebu according to the Department of Health.

The mass immunization program was put on hold in December last year following Sanofi Pasteur's advisory that Dengvaxia should not be given to patients who have not had dengue in the past as it may cause severe diseases in the long run. —Marlly Rome Bondoc/KG, GMA News