‘Taped baby’ parents opt to keep mum now

CEBU, Philippines - With a lawsuit looming ahead, the parents of “taped baby” Yohannes have removed social media posts pertaining to the controversy involving their family.

While before they call the media for interviews, they declined grant one this time as they prepare for the possible filing of a case against the Cebu Puericulture Center and Maternity Hospital, Inc. (CPCMHI)

A check of Ryan Noval’s and Jasmine Janice Badocdoc’s Facebook pages would show that they have removed previous posts that are mostly reactions or retorts to revelations and statements issued against them.

When asked, Noval told The FREEMAN said they’d rather keep their silence and let the law take its course.

Recent reports that Badocdoc and the hospital have actually already entered into a settlement have recently surfaced.

After Badocdoc vehemently denied the claim and even called the hospital as liar, CPCMHI released a supposed copy of a check issued to her allegedly as payment for the settlement.

Based on an earlier statement, the couple, represented by Heidi Orbiso, said they were set to press charges against the hospital for maltreating their baby.

Noval and Badocdoc had turned to their respective social media accounts in defending their family against personal attacks questioning their motive in coming out with their claim that their newborn baby was taped in the mouth while inside the Special Intensive Care Unit of CPCMHI.

The baby taping incident was made public last May after the couple turned to social media in airing their grievances against the hospital, which they said did not give the proper service they expected.

Meanwhile, at the Cebu City Hall, Mayor Michael Rama yesterday said CPCMHI should not be closed just for the mistake of someone.

He said those liable should be the ones made to answer instead of entertaining thoughts of closing the hospital, especially that the new Cebu City Medical Center building is not yet there.

He said that if mistakes were committed, then sanctioned should be imposed, only that the entire hospital should not be made to answer for the sins of just a few.

Also, City Councilor Gerardo Carillo clarified that he did not say that the maternity would be closed, saying he only voiced the possibility that it might because of the controversy it is involved in.

Carillo said he already spoke with  Badocdoc and was told that “they will pursue the filing of the case despite the alleged ‘settlement’.”— /RHM (FREEMAN)