Trillanes gives P500T for CCMC?

CEBU, Philippines - Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV reportedly allocated P500,000 for indigent patients of Cebu City Medical Center, a matter the city’s legal office is now studying.

“This is to respectfully inform you that my office has allocated the amount of PESOS: FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND (Php. 500,000.00) intended for the use of indigent patients of HOSPITAL: Cebu City Medical Center,” stated the March 10, 2015 letter signed by Trillanes and addressed to Dr. Gloria Duterte, CCMC’s Chief of Hospital.

The amount, as stated in the letter, is under the General Appropriations Act of 2015.

“Rest assured that I will remain steadfast in our commitment to look after the welfare of our constituents,” added Trillanes in the letter.

City Administrator Dr. Lucelle Mercado said her office received the letter on April 21 and forwarded it the following day to the City Legal Office.

Mercado said they are asking the legal office’s assessment on the said allocation to make sure that this is not linked to the infamous Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

A staff of the city’s legal office has said the letter will undergo thorough evaluation by their chief, lawyer Jerone Castillo, and other legal officers on their next regular meeting on Wednesday.

Duterte, in a separate interview, said they have not received such letter and that the government-owned hospital did not receive any financial donation from Trillanes.

“So far, I still don’t know about that yet. I am not aware of that,” she said while declining to give further statement.— May B. Miasco/NSA (FREEMAN)