DoJ stands by Usec Andres in conflict of interest accusations

The Department of Justice has vouched for the professionalism of Undersecretary Jesse Hermogenes Andres amid the calls for his ouster made by parents of children whose deaths had been blamed on the anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia.

Sought by Daily Tribune for his comment,

Assistant Secretary and concurrent spokesperson Atty. Mico Clavano said Andres is a professional who "takes on cases when engaged as a practicing lawyer."

"However, when he is called to serve a position in public office, he disengages from the cases he [has] handled at the law firm — especially those that come into conflict with the work at the department," Clavano said via Viber Sunday.

Andres was accused of being in a "conflict of interest" situation by the parents who held a press conference Friday at the headquarters of the Public Attorney's Office in Quezon City.

Those who brought their demand before reporters had been moving against Sanofi Philippines, maker of the Dengvaxia vaccine, for allegedly causing the demise of their children.

In November, PAO chief Persida Acosta herself accused the DoJ's National Prosecution Service headed by Andres of being in a conflict of interest because the undersecretary used to represent former health secretary Janette Garin.

The Dengvaxia vaccination program was undertaken during Garin's term and she stands as a co-accused in the cases of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide filed by the parents before the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 133 in relation to the deaths.

Sumachen Dominguez, president of the Samahan ng mga Magulang, Anak at Biktima ng Dengvaxia, revealed in between sobs their "hardships and heartaches" with the DoJ's NPS being under the direct supervision of Andres. Dominguez accused Andres of "machinations" to have the cases dismissed as a former lawyer of Garin.

During a protest action last 5 December, the parents also asked Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla to have the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office take over the case from the DoJ's NPS.

"Is it difficult to give in to our demand? Our trust that we will attain justice for our children is slowly getting dim," she said.

The parents averred the DoJ-NPS has been issuing conflicting resolutions under Andres in relation to the cases.