THE head of the Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital has filed a complaint before the Civil Service Commission (CSC) 7 after he was booted out of his office by Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan.
Dr. Clifton Canton, in a letter addressed to CSC 7 Director Carlos Evangelista, said his reassignment by Chan to Santa Rosa Community Hospital in Olango Island on July 3, 2019 has no basis.
Chan appointed Dr. Joel Semblante to replace Canton, who insisted he is still the city’s chief of hospital. Semblante was the chief of Santa Rosa Community Hospital.
In an interview, Semblante said he was just following orders. He said the district hospital personnel must follow him.
“We have four doctors there (Olango Island), but the head is Dr. Canton. So, for my part, I’ll just do my own here until further instructions from above,” he said.
According to Canton, he is a permanent employee as the city’s chief of hospital since Oct. 29, 2018.
He believes that his sudden transfer to an island hospital was motivated by politics. He heard reports that Chan’s advisers pushed for his reassignment as some of his relatives did not support the neophyte mayor’s candidacy.
Canton said he felt disappointed by Chan’s decision, saying he always refrained from meddling in politics as he knew his duty and that is to serve the Lapu-Lapu City residents whoever the mayor is.
He said he could not dictate upon his relatives on political matters.
“Ang akong hangyo sa mayor nga tagaan ko og chance kay dili man ang political party or politician akoang serbisyoan kundi ang kawtawhan man (I would like to ask the mayor to give me a chance because I am not serving a political party or a politician but the public). Wala ko mangita og away (I am not looking for trouble). I am just standing my ground,” Canton said.
The medical official requested Chan to give him enough time to work under the latter’s administration, saying he should not be judged right away. He claimed several changes have happened in the district hospital since his assumption of office.
Canton said he has no gripes against Chan, but he said he had the right to undergo a process before the latter decided on his transfer.
Pending the resolution of his complaint filed before the CSC 7, Canton said he should not be transferred to Olango Island.
However, City Legal Officer James Sayson has a different view. He said Canton should report to the community hospital while waiting for the decision from the CSC 7.
Sayson brushed aside Canton’s allegation that politics caused the latter’s transfer, saying it was Chan’s prerogative to shuffle his personnel.
He further said Canton had not been demoted by his transfer, as he was still a chief of hospital.
The City, Sayson said, might be forced to take legal action against Canton if he will not report to Olango Island.
“For now, naay dakong panginahanglan ang (there is a hole to be filled in) Santa Rosa hospital, so the mayor sees it fit to transfer him. This is not about politics; this is about his expertise and his performance, knowing fully well that he could contribute to the hospital. That’s why gibalhin siya (he was transferred),” he said. (KAL)