Parents under the group Samahan ng mga Magulang ang mga Anak ay Biktima ng Dengvaxia (SMABD) urged a Quezon City court to expedite the trial of 158 civil cases involving deaths allegedly linked to the Dengvaxia vaccine.
SMABD president Sumachen Dominguez expressed frustration over delays under Regional Trial Court Branch 226 Judge Manuel Sta. Cruz, despite the consolidation of cases by the Court of Appeals.
The defendants, including former Health Secretary Janette Garin, Sanofi Pasteur, and Zuellig Pharma, have reportedly employed legal maneuvers causing further delays.
Meanwhile, Supreme Court Assistant Court Administrator Lilian Barribal-Co directed QC-RTC Branch 102 to proceed with the pre-trial conference for another batch of 35 cases.
Criminal charges, including multiple homicides and violations of the Anti-Torture Law and Consumer Act, are also being pursued against the accused.
Source: PhilNews24 | January 21, 2025
