CCMC loses Serge's P2M to VSMMC

CEBU, Philippines - Senator Sergio Osmeña III’s P2 million donation, which was initially for the Cebu City Medical Center, will be transferred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

This was revealed yesterday by Councilor Margot Osmeña, the sister-in law of the Senator.

Prior to the change of plans, a Memorandum of Agreement was sent to the office of Mayor Michael Rama stating that Councilor Margot Osmeña was the authorized person to choose the beneficiaries of the aid given by Senator Osmeña.

Mayor Rama did not sign the MOA but explained that he has nothing against the donation.

Rama just want the MOA amended since the chief of CCMC should be the person authorized, which according to him is just the proper protocol.

“I do not have any problem with it, once it is amended then I would sign it.”

But late afternoon yesterday, Councilor Osmeña said that Senator Osmeña decided to transfer the donation to VSMMC.

Councilor Osmeña said that if the Mayor is questioning why she was authorized by the senator, then he should talk to Senator Osmeña.

She said that there is nothing political about it and should not be given meaning. Councilor Osmeña explained that even before, when Senator Osmeña gave donations, she was the one authorized to assist.

Osmeña said it might be that the senator trusts her because they are family and for no other political reason.

She said Senator Osmeña’s donation is help for the city but if this is the case, they would not want any issues and would rather transfer it to VSMMC.

She said that she does not want to argue about it with anyone.

Osmeña said that if Mayor Rama would want to discuss the donation with Senator Osmeña, then it would be up to them.

Councilor Osmeña clarified that those who would want to benefit from the aid given by Senator Osmeña would need to show minimal requirements in order to be considered.

She said that the potential beneficiaries would only need to show the hospital bills, an authorized letter or proof from the barangay office where the patient’s address is located stating that they are indigent residents from the barangay and a voter’s ID.  (FREEMAN)