Philhealth check mess: CCMC credit officer asks CH committee to reset admin hearing

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City Medical Center credit officer Lourdes Archua requested for the resetting of today's administrative hearing before the Special Administrative Investigation Committee of the City Hall that looks into the missing Philhealth checks because it is in conflict with the court schedule.

Lawyer Gloria Lastimosa Dalawampu, Archua's counsel, asked the SAIC to reconsider its September 13 resolution that sets the hearing today and September 22 of the administrative case against her client.

Dalawampu said it is physically impossible for them to appear before the SAIC hearing today because there is also a scheduled hearing before the court of their petition for injunction that seeks to enjoin the City Hall committee from conducting further investigation.

On September 22, Dalawampu said she could not also attend because she will take the mandatory continuing legal education by the Supreme Court.

"If the Honorable Committee shall proceed with the hearing despite the seriousness of the issues raised before the court against it, its hall only highlight its prejudice and ill motive against Archua which shall not be consistent with the principles of fair play and due process," the motion reads.

Dalawampu said that her client will be attending the court hearing today of the petition for injunction that she filed against the SAIC members and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

The lawyer said that it would be physically impossible for Archua and her to be present to appear before the SAIC hearing and court hearing at the same time.

Archua was charged for gross neglect of duty for the missing 28 Philhealth checks amounting to P239,460.25 at the CCMC.

She, however, denied the allegation when she made her direct testimony in court last week.

Archua is scheduled to appear in court today for her cross examination by the city government's lawyers. - Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon and Jessica Ann R. Pareja/FPL (FREEMAN)