Iloilo's medical community divided on Guerra-Tirador P10M suit
The medical community in Iloilo are divided on the continuing saga involving two top Ilonggo doctors here. With a P10 million damage suit now filed in Court, colleagues of Dr. Ramon Guerra and Dr. Louie Tirador expressed mixed sentiments over the row.
For noted surgeon Dr. Roy Trinidad though, it is but the "right move" to have the multi-million case now in Court if only to settle the duo's differences in the "right venue." This, as Trinidad decried the messy media exchanges, now subject of what Guerra, beleaguered hospital director of the West Visayas State University Medical Center (WVSUMC) termed as Tirador's "attacks."
"That while defendant (Tirador) successfully featured himself as a knight of shining armour dedicated to cleanse the WVSU Medical Center of a Director of dubious reputation, it was later revealed and it is now known that defendant in making said expose against plaintiff was in fact motivated by his desire to protect the business interest of a business organization to which he belongs which is engaged in rendering diagnostic and radiologic services to the public which business will undeniably suffer with the expected cheaper cost assessed by the WVSU Medical Center for use of said equipment," excerpts of the Guerra P10 M suit stated.
"Once and for all comes this opportunity for the public to know what is right and wrong in the issues involving Dr. Guerra and Dr. Tirador. The Court is the best place for that," Trinidad continued.
Same sentiments from a Tirador-supporter and colleague in the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) who also disclosed of official notification made before the Iloilo Medical Society on the Guerra-Tirador battle.
Tirador in an interview with The News Today over the weekend welcomed the damage suit filed against him by Guerra.
"I have nothing to be afraid of, we were just telling the truth," Tirador said.
Tirador said it is not only his own battle as he is being backed by other concerned doctors belonging to the WVSU College of Medicine Alumni Association, the Iloilo Medical Society, and the Philippine College of Physicians - Iloilo Chapter.
He also cited that the People's Graftwatch also endorsed their complaint regarding the alleged irregular procurement of P135 million medical equipment.
"Apparently, in filing the case his (Guerra's) real purpose is to harass and intimidate us," Tirador said.
"He paid a filing fee of some P174,000 for the case, it simple shows that he has a lot of money," Tirador quipped.
Tirador earlier alleged that the transaction entered into by Guerra for the procurement of P135 million worth of hospital equipment were disadvantageous to the government.
He said even the Office of the Solicitor General confirmed their findings eventually ordering WVSUMC administration to rescind the Memorandum of Agreement between the hospital and supplier Himex Corporation.
Guerra in his complaint further decried what he said was Tirador's aspersion to his character, honor, integrity and reputation "not only as a Doctor of Medicine and the head of the Medical Center but also as a husband and father." This, Guerra added caused him "social and professional humiliation, besmirched reputation, serious anxiety and sleepless nights and has alienated him from his friends and disturbed his rights to privacy." For all these, P9 million was thereafter sought by Guerra as moral damages.
Another million is sought for exemplary damages and fees alongside some P500,000 in attorney's fees.