Ex-Pres. Aquino should credit Duterte for not engaging on political witch-hunt over Dengvaxia mess – Roque

June 5, 2018

Former President Benigno Aquino III should credit President Rodrigo Duterte for not engaging in political witch-hunting over the Dengvaxia mess, Malacanang said on Tuesday.

In a press briefing in South Korea where Duterte was in an official visit, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte has been "very laid back" on the issue of Dengvaxia.

"He has made it clear that he is awaiting the findings of a group of foreign experts. He is not swayed either way by anyone’s opinion because so far all the experts’ opinions contradict each other," he said.

Several children have died allegedly after they received Dengvaxia shots, supposedly an anti-dengue vaccine.

The implementation of the Dengvaxia vaccine program started during the Aquino administration.

It was not clear if the vaccine manufactured by French Sanofi Pasteur really caused the death of the recipients of Dengvaxia.

"So I think the former president should give credit to President Duterte because he could have made this into a political witch-hunt and he did not," Roque added.

The Department of Justice has been conducting a preliminary investigation against Aquino, former Health Secretary Janette Garin and former Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, among others over the Dengvaxia controversy.

They are facing complaints for multiple homicide, physical injuries through negligence, technical malversation and criminal negligence, all under the Revised Penal Code, and violation of Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Government Procurement Reform Act.

Aquino has admitted sometimes it crossed his mind the possibility he could also be detained similar to what happened to Senator Leila de Lima, who has been accused of her involvement in the alleged drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison when she was still the Justice secretary.

De Lima has denied the allegation, saying she has been politically persecuted for being a staunch critic of Duterte. Celerina Monte/DMS