The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) has welcomed the reaffirmation of the Supreme Court that PAO may file a petition preventing the removal of cases involving children whose deaths are Dengvaxia-related at a Quezon City family court.
The High Court earlier denied the motions for reconsideration of the Aug. 27, 2020 of those accused in the criminal complaint including ex-Health Secretary Janette Garin.
Garin and the other respondents’ motion were “bereft of merit as they failed to present substantial grounds,” it said, citing their arguments on the jurisdiction over the subject cases lies with a regular court, and with a family court in Quezon City, and that a metropolitan trial court, not a regional trial court, has the jurisdiction over the reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.
Moreover, the accused argued that the Quezon City Regional Trial Court has no jurisdiction over the cases, and that PAO has no personality to file instant petitions.
But the Supreme Court Second Division said “Quezon City may still be the proper venue,” of all Dengvaxia cases, and that PAO may act as counsel of the petitioners or the private complainants.
In 2016 until 2017, DOH implemented a widespread vaccination of students in public schools against dengue infection.
In November 2017, the vaccine manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur Inc., said those who have received the Dengvaxia vaccine without prior dengue infection could be vulnerable to more severe infections.