Hospital executive charged in P42-million estafa case

MANILA, Philippines - An official of a private hospital was charged for allegedly issuing bouncing checks and failing to pay the balance of P42 million for the renovation of the hospital’s branches in Mandaluyong and Antipolo.

Dr. Michael Unciano, vice president of the Unciano General Hospital, was charged with estafa and violation of the anti-bouncing check law before the Quezon City prosecutors’ office.

Alexander Aguirre, general manager of Alexa Trading and Construction, filed the complaint and alleged that his company entered into a verbal contract with the respondent in July 2007 for the renovation and construction work at the hospital’s Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong branch and the Antipolo branch, known as Unciano Colleges Antipolo, Inc. 

Aguirre said the agreement followed a board resolution issued by the hospital’s directors authorizing the hiring of the firm to construct an annex building and improve the hospital’s two branches.

According to Aguirre, his firm undertook renovation and construction work from the last quarter of 2008 until December 2009. He said Unciano, on behalf of the hospital, used to make irregular and partial check payments. He added that he continued the work because Unciano assured him Alexa Trading would be paid.

Aguirre said the irregular payments were already inadequate to cover the cost of materials and salaries of his employees. Aguirre claimed that of the P57-million contract price, the respondent had only paid P15 million.

Aguirre said he demanded proper payment since the continuing construction was draining his financial resources. He claimed the respondent issued in August 2008 10 checks amounting to P1 million each.

Aguirre said the checks were dishonored since Unciano’s account was already dormant and that the signatures on the checks were not authorized. He sent a demand letter last January to the respondent, but Unciano denied issuing the checks and claimed his signatures were forged.