Doctors' group slams medical excuses

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) lamented yesterday the practice of some people who use medical reasons to excuse themselves from facing legal obligations.

Chief Justice Renato Corona walked out last Tuesday from the hearing of the Senate impeachment court after allegedly suffering from hypoglycemia or sudden drop in blood sugar that often afflicts diabetics like himself.

“It is very saddening for us doctors that medical condition is being used as a reason so that one can avoid their legal obligations. The practice of medicine is immaculate so it should not be used for things like this,” said Leo Olarte, PMA Governor for Manila.

Olarte, however, clarified that he was not particularly referring to Corona and former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who is now detained at the Veterans’ Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City to get treatment for her various ailments pending trial of the various criminal charges that were filed against her, while Corona is now confined at The Medical City in Pasig City.

Arroyo is facing electoral sabotage charges for allegedly manipulating the 2007 elections in Maguindanao, and a separate graft case in connection with the canceled national broadband network contract with the Chinese firm ZTE Corp.

“Based on the medical bulletin of Chief Justice Corona, the results of his troponin examination is high and this led to a diagnosis of a possible heart attack. I think because of this he is entitled to a justifiable consideration,” Olarte said.

He said Arroyo’s health condition is “valid” since she underwent several surgeries.

Four years ago, former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-joc” Bolante was hospitalized while being investigated by the Senate for multi-million-peso fertilizer fund scam.

Olarte, who is also a practicing lawyer, acknowledged that poor health condition is a valid reason for someone to be excused from court hearings or other legal proceedings.

“Under the Rules of Court, a witness must be of good mental and physical health because, otherwise, his testimony may be affected,” he said.

Olarte clarified that he is not accusing some doctors of fabricating medical results to allow their patients to evade court proceedings.

He, however, complained that the public now has the impression that there are doctors who allow their patients to use them to certify medical excuses to evade legal obligations or investigation.

“I don’t think there is a doctor in his right mind who will ‘doctor’ medical results. What I’m saying is that the medical condition that will disallow or prohibit a litigant to testify should be valid and truthful,” he added.