The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday ordered former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to answer the criminal complaint filed against him by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) and the Vanguard of the Philippine Constitution (VPC) in connection with the controversial anti-dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia. Aquino was required to personally appear before the DOJ to file his counter-affidavit on June 4. Aside from Aquino, former Health Secretary Janette Garin and former Budget Secretary Florencio Abad were also directed to personally appear before the DOJ and submit their affidavits next month. ADVERTISEMENTOther respondents include officials and employees of the pharmaceutical company Zuellig, which distributed the Dengvaxia vaccine, and its manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur. In their complaints, the VACC and VPCI said Aquino and the other respondents “anomalously and illegally funded and procured the Dengvaxia vaccine and “ill-advisedly, thoughtlessly, and imprudently” implemented the dengue immunization program.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 15, 2018 12:43 UTC