(Eagle News) — The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption on Thursday recommended the investigation of former President Benigno Aquino III and other former high-ranking government officials, among others, over the allegedly anomalous purchase of Dengvaxia.
VACC general counsel Ferdinand Topacio said former President Benigno S. Aquino III, former Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, former Health Secretary Garin, former Undersecretary Boy Gako, former Undersecretary Kenneth Hartigon-Go, Undersecretary Lilibeth David, Undersecretary Gerardo Bayugo, Undersecretary Carolina Vidal-Taino, Assistant Secretary Lyndon Lee Suy, Asec. Nestor Santiago, and “other persons named here which we will submit” in particular should face a probe for plunder.
According to Topacio, all these personalities conspired in the procurement of Dengvaxia.
He noted that the P3.5 billion intended for the purchase of the controversial vaccine were released upon the authorization of Aquino, and upon recommendation of Abad.
He said the funds–which he emphasized were not in the General Appropriations Act–were released after Aquino met twice with Sanofi officials in 2015.
“In order to reveal the money trails, there is a need to check the bank accounts of the above persons,” Topacio said.
