Nurse files P4.8-M suit vs 2 Makati Med docs

A nurse is seeking P4.8 million in damages from two doctors of a clinic at the Makati Medical Center (MMC) she accused of subjecting her to “inhuman and unbearable treatment.”

Caroline Filomeno, 38, charged obstetrician-gynecologists Martin and Maria Regina Manahan of the Manahan Clinic with violating the Labor Code of the Philippines, the Medical Act of 1959, and the Code of Ethics of the Medical Profession before the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC).

She said that despite sending them a demand letter, the Manahans did not pay the benefits due her when she resigned after working as their nurse and secretary for 14 years after her ordeal last 2006.

Filomeno, through her lawyer, Homobona Adaza, is claiming P4.8 million in actual, moral and exemplary damages. 

The Manahans are the children of Dr. Antonio Manahan, brother of the late Dr. Constantino Manahan, one of the founders of MMC.

Adaza said the Manahans “forced my client, who was seven months pregnant that time, to report to work on Sept. 28, 2006 when typhoon Milenyo, with maximum winds packing 130 kph (kilometers per hour), was forecasted to strike Manila.”

Adaza added that because traffic was at standstill due to the storm, his client and her husband were forced to walk for an hour from the MMC to the corner of EDSA and Ayala Avenue. They then took a taxi after two hours of standing and waiting along the road.

“The traumatic experience (made) Filomeno bleed, (have) an isolated contraction of the uterus wall, and dilated cervix, which could lead to premature delivery. Yet the respondents forced Filomeno to continue working, without telling her the seriousness of her medical condition,” he said, noting that Filomeno had been a patient of the Manahans.

Filomeno said she sought the services of another doctor, who advised her to have complete bed rest for almost two months. 

“The respondents’ lack of concern and respect to the welfare of their patient and unborn child is tantamount to medical malpractice, a criminal act,” Adaza said.

“Their highly questionable actions are with malice, bad faith, ill-intent and blatant disregard to precious life. Their license as physicians can be revoked by the Professional Regulations Commission,” he added.