'Prove me guilty and I will resign,' beleaguered Doc dares accusers on 'love child,' oppression issue
ACEPCION
A physician and officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Dr. George Acepcion was credited for the impressive 'make-over' of the Ramon Tabiana Memorial District Hospital (RTMDH) in Cabatuan, Iloilo.
His first years of tenure as hospital chief made possible the state-of-the-art High Tech Laparoscopic Surgical Equipments with research components, leading to "button hole surgeries." The hospital also stands to be the First AFP Station Hospital being an AFP affiliated reserve battalion with hospital personnel all 'graduates' of Military Orientation Training, a requisite for enlistment and commisionship of AFP officers.
He was also honored in 2004 with the Presidential Performance Award as Hospital Chief of the RTMDH, a distinction given by the renowned Philippine Hospital Association. In 2005, same group recognized his efforts with the coveted Community Service Award.
He also brought in four cataract surgical missions of Malacanang that gave vision to about 500 cataract-blind patients. And worked with a Danish civic group for the first ever Prosthetic Research Center of Western Visayas.
To cap it off, for some three years now of his 5 year-incumbency, the hospital stands to be the top grosser in revenue generation as a return of investment for the Province of Iloilo.
Yet where is he now? Dr. Acepcion appeared to have fallen out of the graces of the Provincial Government, charged with disgraceful and immoral conduct and oppression. The charges as leveled up against him worsened by allegations of a 'love child' allegedly with a hospital employee identified as Rosalinda Lauron.
As such, Acepcion faces a 60-day suspension following an investigation ordered by Governor Niel Tupas where a 5-man committee decided on his fate and found him liable as charged.
The beleaguered doctor has since sought the assistance of a lawyer where to date, efforts continue to lodge a legal battle.
"My best shield is a clear conscience and an unblemished personal record," Acepcion wrote the Governor while adding how "in sum," the claims as raised against him are unfounded.
On the oppression charge, Acepcion maintained that re-assignments he ordered on job-hires were all made in "good faith and without purpose but only for good service." And not true as well, he argued, that a standing order was given for said employees to disregard their supervisors and instead report to him.
"In fact, as Chief of Hospital I have assured the job-hire employees to protect them from any violation of their right as workers," he added.
As for the alleged immoral conduct, Acepcion lost no words in denying the charge while telling Tupas, "I am a married man with a happy married life. Considering that I have five children and had been married for more than thirty (30) happy years. I had been a good model to my children and rearing them to be better Christians. Having an illicit relationship with a woman other than my wife is very unbecoming to my Christian way of living as well as to my profession."
Acepcion then hurled a challenge to his accusers whom he identified as Elsie Mota, Candelaria Samar and Liberty Trabado, "In the interest of truth and with the consent of Ms. Lauron, let us subject the child to DNA test to prove once and for all if my said detractors are truly disciples of truth and justice. If the results would establish that I am the father, I will resign and forfeit all my salary and benefits in favor of Ramon Tabiana Memorial District Hospital. Otherwise, they will also resign and forfeit all their emoluments and benefits in favor of RTMDH."
In conclusion, Acepcion left a message to the Governor saying "May God continue to bless you with grace and wisdom as you decide this accusation against me through His eyes."
A Capitol insider said Acepcion's removal has since been decided with his position promised to another Tupas-preferred physician.
"Natug-an na ina ni nonoy dugay na (It has been promised by nonoy for a while now)," the source said referring to the Governor's wife.