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Monday, June 21, 2004
Court orders arrest of gov't doc in Tagum
By Raquel C. Bagnol
DAVAO CITY -- The Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) has ordered the arrest of a medical practitioner accused of engaging in private practice and collecting doctor's fees while being employed in the government service.
Judge Antonina Escovilla of the MTCC Branch 2 issued the warrant of arrest dated June 16 against Stephen Magat, medical officer 3, of the Claims Division of Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) 11 for violation of Republic Act 6713, otherwise known as Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
In an eight-page resolution issued earlier, Ombudsman prosecutor Marilou Unabia recommended the filing of charges against Magat before the MTCC.
Court records show a concerned citizen complained before the Office of the Ombudsman that Magat was practicing his profession at the Orthopedics section of the Tagum Doctors Hospital (TDH) in Tagum City from April 22, 1999 to June 21, 2000.
Magat allegedly collected doctor's fees from 19 patients while being employed at the Philhealth regional office.
In his counter-affidavit, Magat admitted he practiced as an orthopedic at the TDH, but not during office hours. He claimed he did this only on weekends. He also claimed that his private practice did not interfere with his work at Philhealth.
He said he had the verbal permission to engage in private practice from the Philhealth regional director, as well as a written permission from Philhealth executive officer Enrique Zalmea.
Magat also claimed that he only collected medicare claims from his patients and not doctor's fees as alleged.
The Ombudsman, however, held that the verbal permission Magat allegedly got from the regional director is not an authority for him to engage in private practice and collect medical fees while he is employed by the government.
Bail of P110,000 was recommended for the provisional liberty of Magat.
(June 21, 2004 issue)
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