Case vs Eversley chief dropped after respondent's death

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman – Visayas has formally terminated the case against Dr. Primo Joel Alvarez, the former chief of Sanitarium III, Eversley Childs Sanitarium in Mandaue City, following Alvarez’ death.

Graft Investigator Irish Inabangan-Amores said the office has lost jurisdiction over Alvarez when he died.

“Verified information, however, reached this Office that respondent Dr. Primo Joel Alvarez, has passed away last May 30, 2011,” Alvarez’ consolidated evaluation report reads.

Alvarez was sued for alleged violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and misconduct for allegedly violating “existing government rules and regulations” in hiring two doctors.

The complainants led by Nancy Sabuero alleged that Alvarez entered into a contract with two doctors on January 3, 2010 to make the two job order medical officer IV from January 3 to June 30, 2010 and July 3 to September 30, 2010.

The violation, the complainants alleged, was that the contract reportedly allowed the two doctors to admit private patients and charge professional fees and to receive PhilHealth payments.

They cited Administrative Order No. 92 of 2003 Revised Policies and Guidelines on Private Practice of Medical and Paramedical Professionals in Government Health Facilities, which states that private practice is allowed in government hospitals if the doctors have specializations or medical specialists.

The two doctors reportedly charged obstetric patients P2,000 to P4,000 for normal delivery and higher rates for caesarean delivery. Aside from the package fee of P2,500 for house cases, the OB patients of the two doctors also reportedly paid professional fees.

Before the doctors were hired by the Sanitarium, the OB patients reportedly did not have to pay for professional fees.

The complainants also alleged that Alvarez had violated existing rules for designating one of the doctors as head of the OB-Gyne Unit and Chairman of the Hospital Infection Control Committee.

The case was earlier referred to the Civil Service Commission for the issue of the legality of appointments, but commission referred the case back to the Ombudsman, saying it does not have jurisdiction over the matter because of the issue of job order employment. — (FREEMAN)