Tuesday, May 20, 2008 Ombud, DOH study jurisdiction
OFFICIALS of the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas and the health department met yesterday to discuss options on resolving on jurisdiction over the complaint Genaro Jorolan filed against doctors of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VMMC).
Assistant Ombudsman Virginia Santiago said the members of the fact-finding team that conducted the internal investigation on the controversial VSMMC operation appear amenable to turning over the probe to the anti-graft office.
They, however, are required to have their superiors sign on the plan.
“We will know (today),” she told Sun.Star Cebu.
Santiago explained that the anti-graft office can handle the probe on its own, saying that Republic Act (RA) 6770 or the Ombudsman Law gives it jurisdiction over all public officials and employees.
However, she said, the health department, having administrative authority over government hospitals like the VSMMC, also has jurisdiction over its own people. She said that whatever administrative findings the anti-graft office has on officials and employees of the hospital are given to the health department for implementation.
“We have already begun with the administrative investigation. The issue now is whether or not to proceed. The ball is now in their (health department) court,” Santiago said.
Meanwhile, a Provincial Board member is supporting the proposal by the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) to add two new subjects on ethics to the nursing curriculum. (KNR/ With KAB)
