The Department of Justice (DoJ) ordered former President Benigno Aquino 3rd and two of his Cabinet officials to answer criminal charges filed against them in connection with the deaths of children inoculated with Dengvaxia. Prosecutors have issued a subpoena ordering Aquino to appear before a panel created to investigate the case at 10 a.m. on March 23. Also ordered to appear were former Health Secretary Janette Garin and former Budget Secretary Florencio Abad. Acting Prosecutor General Jorge Catalan Jr. assigned Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Rossane Balauag to head the panel, with Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Hazel Decena Valdez and Assistant State Prosecutors Consuelo Corazon Pazziuagan and Gino Paolo Santiago as members. Aquino, Abad and Garin were directed to submit their counter-affidavits to refute the charges of multiple homicide and physical injuries and malversation of public funds.

Source: Manila Times March 18, 2018 16:52 UTC