MANILA, Philippines – Former Health Secretary and Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin revealed that she was pressured during the Duterte administration to sign an affidavit implicating former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III in connection with the Dengvaxia controversy.

In her interview on Bilyonaryo News Channel’s On Point with Pinky Webb last Tuesday, Garin said, “Pinipilit kaming pumirma ng affidavit to point at PNoy na hindi naman namin magawa kasi hindi naman totoo.”

She added, “When I was being investigated in the Senate, yung parang ginawa kang criminal na wala ka naman kasalanan.”

Garin stressed that “kawawa itong mga totoong scientists sa mga antivaccine people.”

“Masakit na ginagamit sila ni Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida Acosta, PAO forensic chief Edwin Erfe, and Doctor Anthony Leachon at patuloy na ginagamit ang taxpayers’ money sa case build-up dito sa Filipino scientists,” Garin said.

Garin also said they are “readying all cases to be filed against these fake experts because they are misleading the people.”

She welcomed the decision of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to withdraw 98 of the 162 cases filed against her and co-accused Dr. Gerardo Bayugo, former health undersecretary, and Dr. Ma. Joyce Ducusin, former DOH officer-in-charge.

DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla instructed the prosecutor general to withdraw the criminal information filed before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court against Garin, Bayugo, and Ducusin.

“In the absence of malicious intent on the part of respondents-appellants, they cannot be held liable for conspiring and confederating with one another to commit reckless imprudence,” Remulla said.]

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