Garin extends olive branch to Acosta, Erfe amid Dengvaxia row

In the spirit of Christmas, former Health Secretary and now Iloilo Representative Janette Garin on Wednesday offered reconciliation with Public Attorney's Office chief Persida Acosta and its forensics chief, Dr. Erwin Erfe, over their past issues in relation to the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine.

At a press conference, Garin pointed out that Christmas spirit is all about reconciliation and unity, especially since today's challenges are no longer man-made but acts of nature like earthquakes, typhoons, and even outbreaks of diseases.

These unexpected catastrophes, she said, serve as reminders that people "should all be one" despite their differences.

"So allow me to also extend my hand of reconciliation kay Persida Acosta, kay Dr. Erfe. Alam ko po na hindi kami nagkakasundo dahil kami ay sumasandal sa siyensya, sila naman ay iba ang kanilang sinasandalan," Garin said.

"But at the end of the day, we all have to think that we all have one direction, and that is to produce a healthy community and to produce things that will benefit the future generations, especially our children," she added.

Garin is facing numerous complaints filed by PAO in relation to the Dengvaxia vaccination program. It was during her term at the Department of Health when the program was initiated in 2016.

In November 2017, the government suspended the school-based dengue vaccination program after Sanofi Pasteur, the French pharmaceutical company that manufactured Dengvaxia, advised against prescribing the vaccine to patients who have not acquired the dengue virus before due to the severe diseases it may cause in the long run.

The vaccine was said to have posed health risks to more than 700,000 school children who were administered with it.

Garin said she is leaving to God whatever she is facing in relation to the Dengvaxia issue.

"We don't know what's prodding her. Siguro nandun yung drive na gusto niyang gawin yung trabaho ng NBI o trabaho ng PNP. Pero marami kasi doon sa allegations na binawasan ng pondo, hindi naman inilagay yun," she said.

"We already warned that outbreaks will happen. Nangyari na, ayaw na naming magsisihan. Kailangan lang talaga naming tumulong lahat dahil yun ang aming propesyon. My call for reconciliation is actually all throughout," Garin added. —KBK, GMA News