Black Suede scandal VSMMC personnel safe from suspension –for now

The Office of the Ombudsman Visayas cannot yet order the preventive suspension of the doctors and nurses of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center involved in the controversial rectal operation despite the upgrading of their investigation into formal criminal and administrative adjudication.

Graft investigator Jane Aguilar said the case has yet to be raffled to a graft investigator who will conduct the preliminary investigation. Aguilar said even if it will be assigned already it is not also automatic that a preventive suspension will come next.

Aguilar explained that the investigator will still evaluate the result of the fact-finding investigation to determine if there is basis to issue a preventive suspension. 

She said among the considerations in recommending for preventive suspension is whether or not the evidence is strong and that the respondent might influence possible witnesses and suppress evidence if he or she continues to hold office while the investigation is being conducted.

The 39-year-old complainant in the case earlier asked the anti-graft office to immediately place the seven doctors and five nurses, recommended to face criminal and administrative investigation, under preventive suspension.

The fact-finding team of the Ombudsman earlier found basis to investigate doctors Philip Leo Arias, the surgeon in charge; Marlowe Parreno, the consultant of the Department of Surgery; Angelo Alinawagan, the assistant surgeon, and Joseph Alfred de Leon, the one assigned to document the procedure, for violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Also included are doctors Joanne Mae Merilles, the resident anesthesiologist; Serapio Salazar, the consultant of the Department of Anesthesiology, and Max Joseph Montecillo of the Department of Surgery.

Likewise Isabelita Remulta, the operating room nurse supervisor, circulating nurse Carmenia Sapio, OR nurse supervisor Consuelo Tecling, the nurse on call, Ida Sumayang, and nursing attendant Rosemarie Villareal were impleaded in the criminal investigation as well as the clinical instructors, a certain A. Oplado and Ramon Penley “Monching” Pandaan.

Except for Pandaan and Oplado the rest of the respondents will also face administrative investigation for grave misconduct.  — Fred P. Languido/BRP