Garin confirms posting of bail for Dengvaxia case, maintains innocence

Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin (PPAB)

House Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin confirmed on Monday, Nov. 13 her posting of bail in connection with her graft and technical malversation charges before the Office of the Ombudsman.

“Posting bail is part of the agonizing process to prove our innocence. It is a crucial step in ensuring fair trial and safeguarding one’s rights,” Garin said.

The raps against Garin have to do with her alleged role in controversial school-based dengue vaccination program during the tail end of the Aquino government in 2016. At that time, Garin was the Department of Health (DOH) secretary.

“We hope that this first step into cleansing our name can be dealt with timely so that scientists and doctors can perform our regular tasks,” the lady lawmaker added.

Garin is impacted in the alleged realignment of funds and alleged augmentation of funds for immunization relating to Dengvaxia, which was the vaccine used. The bail amount was P108,000.

She had lamented that the Dengvaxia issue has led to a significant drop in vaccine confidence among Filipinos. This has lead to measles and polio outbreaks in the country.

“Resolving the issue once and for all is aligned to the Doctors for Truth clamor because global history have taught us that any vaccine demonized, usually spreads to include other vaccine preventable diseases and results to outbreaks,” Garin noted.