WVSU Board of Regents denies hospital chief's appeal
After some turbulent last years in government service, Dr. Ramon Guerra lost his battle for continued employ as hospital director of the now controversial West Visayas State University Medical Center (WVSUMC).
This, as The News Today (TNT) got a confirmation yesterday of Guerra's failure to be heard in a Motion for Reconsideration submitted before the Board of Regents of West Visayas State University, the WVSUMC governing body.
As such, he is officially out today with his post now handed to his colleague, Dr. Jaime Manila.
Guerra stands accused of several graft charges which he had fought lengthily and divided the Ilonggo medical community here. Up to his last days in office, hospital workers and medical practitioners of the WVSUMC expressed satisfaction and full support on his administration. A prayer vigil was even organized over the weekend by his sympathizers. A last-minute public appeal to gain support was also made in its bid to have the BOR reconsider the earlier decision to let go of Guerra's management.
Hospital insiders told TNT that the designation order of Dr. Manila came in yesterday morning. By late afternoon, Dr. Manila has yet to show up and meet his new staff however word immediately spread of the latest order and the new hospital chief.
TNT tried to reach BOR vice chairman Dr. Pablo Subong Jr., WVSU president for comment, however he was in Roxas City for a BOR conference.
The BOR is composed of Hadja Luningning Umar, Commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as chair-designate and Subong Jr. as vice-chair. Members are Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts, and Culture, Representative Cynthia Villar as chair of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education, Arturo Valero of the National Economic Development Authority V, Leah Mae Cabalfin, president of the, WVSU Faculty Association, Jun Victor Bactan, chairman, University Student Counci, Ramon Zarceno, president of the WVSU Alumni Association, Truman Cainglet, private Sector representative and Bernabe Cocjin,also a private Sector Representative. Board secretary is Belen Gabo-Carreon.
The BOR in Resolution No. 370-2008 dated March 17, 2008 ordered Guerra's dismissal from service for alleged grave misconduct.
The case stemmed from the lease-to-own transaction entered into by the WVSUMC director with medical equipment distributor Medicotek in October 2005 for the purchase of four units of patient monitors and defibrillator without prior authorization from the WVSU president and the BOR.
Guerra then justified that former WVSU president Lourdes Arañador authorized him to sign the MOA.
But it was later learned from Arañador that Guerra sought authorization to sign a MOA for the lease-to-own of one unit of patient monitor only.
The board said Guerra “acted maliciously, with clear intent to deceive and in gross and evident bad faith" when he signed a MOA different from the one he presented to Arañador for her authorization.
The BOR added that the Medicotek deal was conditional because the firm needed to submit a certification from the Department of Health that it is the exclusive/sole distributor of the subject medical equipment.