MANILA, Philippines — Former health secretary and now Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin was a no-show during her arraignment last Friday on homicide charges in connection with the deaths of two children who were administered the anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia.
Garin’s lawyers told Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 107 Judge Jose Bautista Jr. she could not attend the proceedings as one of her staffers tested positive for COVID-19.
“I am waiting for a swabbing schedule,” she said.
The Public Attorney’s Office filed charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide against Garin, other government officials and executives of vaccine manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur based on the complaints by the relatives of Marc-Axl Eboña and Zandro Colite.
The court rescheduled Garin’s arraignment on Jan. 27, 2021.