Tuesday, July 10, 2007 P57M plunder rap to be filed vs hospital chief By Gil Alfredo B. Severino
NOT yet contented of the action taken by the Department of Health, Bryan Baylon, administrative officer of the state-run Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH), will file Monday a P57 million plunder case against the chief of hospital, Dr. Dominggo Vega.
Baylon's plan of going to Ombudsman was disclosed Sundayy by no less than Fr. Anecito Buenafe, currently director of the Bacolod Diocese's Social Action Center.
Sun.Star-Bacolod tried but failed to contact Baylon for confirmation.
Last week, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III announced the immediate transfer of the three top officials of CLMMRH to other state-run hospitals in the region.
This is to end the brouhaha at CLMMRH and to pave the way for an internal probe on the alleged irregularities in the hospital.
Among those to be transferred are Vega, Baylon and Dr. Benito Bionat, assistant chief of hospital.
The three are squabbling over several issues such as the alleged overpriced medical oxygen tanks, food caterings, project biddings, among others.
Buenafe, however, considered Baylon as the "whistleblower" on the present brouhaha at CLMMRH.
"He (Baylon) is filing a P57 million plunder complaint against Vega before the Office of the Ombudsman in Cebu City today (Monday)," Buenafe said.
The priest, however, refused to divulge further details of the complaint as he stressed that he doesn't want to translate "legal nitty-gritties" into simple terms and the attached affidavits as it appeared to be burdensome to read for the layman's understanding.
But Buenafe clarified that the strength of the complaint lies on the Commission on Audit (COA) reports showing the alleged irregularities.
The complaint is among the first in several being prepared by Baylon's lawyer, he added.
Baylon's complaint will also implicate Duque, Head of the Integrity Development Committee, Assistant Secretary David Lozada, and head of the pre-investigation team Director Agnette Peralta, Buenafe said.
Buenafe also said Baylon's complaint is also separate from the complaints with the Ombudsman of the Hospital Watch filed against Vega through his office last Thursday as Baylon was dissatisfied with the Peralta-Lozada committee reports and results.
Hospital Watch's complaints involved malpractices, delays, shortages, overcharging, questionable lifestyle and abuse of discretion.
While that of Baylon is clearly centered on plunder, Buenafe explained.
Meanwhile, Buenafe stressed that the Diocese SAC's interest in getting involved and accommodating the ecumenical Hospital Watch is its highest regard for the "image of God in man."
"Imagine the lives of the sick and the dying that could have been saved had it not been for all these corruption, malpractices and malversations which amounted to P57 million," he said.
He further said, "What Baylon and Hospital Watch are doing should open the eyes of the political leadership and agency heads to be very mindful of human beings.
If only we are honest and obedient to the commandment of 'not to steal', others may have the chance to live longer."
"Public hospitals are the only hope of the poor and the disempowered have for their health needs and if doctors are involved in the death of these people, then they are committing a terrible sin," Buenafe further stressed.
