The Corruption and Prevention Unit of the Bacolod Social Action Office submitted yesterday to the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas the complaint of Hospital Watch about reported irregularities at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital.

The group also questioned the integrity and capability of the Department of Health officials, including Secretary Francisco Duque III to conduct an honest probe on issues against the CLMMRH management.

In its complaint, the group cited irregularities in the bidding procedure of hospital supplies, chronic delay and shortages in the release of personnel salaries, overcharging of patients, conspicuous lifestyle and questionable wealth of certain hospital officials, and abuse of power and discretion of hospital chief Dr. Domingo Vega.

Based on the documents and testimonies they gathered, the group said the irregularities have been going on for some time and seemed to indicate an organized operation by some hospital personnel in cahoots with certain suppliers, with the full knowledge of the hospital chief.

It also questioned the motive and procedures of the Integrity Development Committee sent by the DOH to investigate the allegations of irregular practices exposed by CLMMRH chief administrative officer Bryan Baylon.

The group also complained about the absence of an official department memorandum on the probe, unclear procedure, lack of clarity of who were the members conducting the investigation, and lack of transparency by the DOH team.

The irregularities at the CLMMRH are among the factors causing the drop of the quality of service at the hospital, the group said. In its complaint to the Ombudsman, Hospital Watch questioned why no department action has been taken with regards to the allegations against Vega.*NAB

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