Jose Marie Valencia, chief of staff of Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon, yesterday denied the allegation of the lawyer of Dr. Vicente Ituriaga that he had taken personal interest in pursuing charges against her client.

Ma. Rita Bascos Sarabia, lawyer of Ituriaga of the Jose Locsin Memorial Provincial Hospital, said on Wednesday that, with due respect to Valencia, it is good for him because he is not signing anything in the proceedings against her client. If there is any problem brought on by the provincial government for insisting on an administrative hearing against her client, the governor will be the one liable, she said.

"I call on the governor to get good advice from other people who do not have personal interest, I think, to pursue the case," she said.

Valencia said Sarabia is entitled to her own opinion but "there is nothing personal here. If she is taking it so personally, I don't care."

"They can always argue their case, that is the prerogative of any lawyer, but to say I have a personal interest in the case, I think that is ridiculous," he said.

They should address the charges filed against Ituriaga, they should not beat around the bush by attacking him, he said.

Valencia said he has nothing to do with the death of a patient, asking for contributions from a patient, or in referring a patient somewhere else and not treating him.*CPG

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