Dengvaxia mess: Garin files libel suit vs Ubial, 3 others

ILOILO CITY – Former Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Janette Loreto-Garin on Friday filed libel complaints against former DOH secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial and three other doctors over the controversial anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia.

“I have tolerated this from the start, but it has reached the point that enough is enough. I have to preserve my name, my honor and my dignity,” Garin told the Manila Bulletin after filing the complaints before the Iloilo Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.

Aside from Ubial, likewise included in the complaint are Doctors Francisco Cruz, Teodoro Herbosa and Anthony Leachon.

As DOH secretary of former President Benigno C. Aquino III, Garin has been blamed by several quarters and sectors for approving the controversial anti-dengue immunization program.

Several of the 830,000 children immunized with Dengvaxia, the antidengue vaccine produced by Sanofi Pasteur, allegedly died due to complications and side effects.

Garin said that Ubial and the other three doctors have repeatedly told lies in media interviews and even in social media sites that destroyed her name and reputation.

Garin’s complaint against Cruz stemmed from the statement that tagged Garin as part of the ‘DOH mafia’, which allegedly had a share from funds intended for the vaccine program.

Garin also believes their statements have caused panic and confusion among the public.

She noted how parents are beginning to distrust the government’s health programs including mass immunization.

Iloilo 1st District Rep. Richard Garin, her husband, filed a separate libel complaint against Ubial last January 26.

This is in relation to the statement made by Ubial during last year’s budget hearing that Rep. Garin pressured her to expand the Dengvaxia program in Central Visayas.

Rep. Garin denied the allegation.