ILOILO — Alarmed by reports of politicians allegedly pushing contractors into hospital projects, a proposed resolution has been filed in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan calling for the barring of government officials from meddling in the Western Visayas Medical Center’s (WVMC) management and operations.
Political interference in hospital affairs, including biddings and infrastructure projects, could constitute violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, warned Provincial Board member Rolex Suplico.
“The management of the hospital should be in the hands of those who are professionally equipped to handle it,” he told Panay News after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s regular session on Sept. 23.
The controversy was sparked by the case of Dr. Joseph Dean Nicolo, whose reassignment to Zamboanga City by the Department of Health (DOH) was revoked following accusations that the move was politically motivated.
Earlier, Provincial Board member Rolando Distura sponsored Resolution No. 2025-09-05 backing Nicolo’s continued tenure, citing his “exemplary service, integrity, and commitment to public health.”
Suplico said his resolution goes beyond Nicolo’s case and targets the larger issue of protecting WVMC from undue influence.
“Dapat ang mga public officials, indi mag-interfere sa management sang WVMC, including sang mga biddings sang mga proyekto dira. Graft na ya,” he stressed.
While clarifying that his measure does not undermine Distura’s resolution in support of Nicolo, Suplico stressed that the focus must be on institutional autonomy.
“We must ensure that the hospital operates free from political biases and focuses solely on providing quality healthcare to the community,” he said.
The proposed resolution is now pending before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, with observers seeing it as a litmus test of political will to insulate the region’s premier government hospital from undue influence.
The Department of Health (DOH) Central Office has confirmed that Dr. Nicolo remains the chief of WVMC.
“Dr. Joseph Dean L. Nicolo remains to be the Medical Center Chief of the DOH Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC),” Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said in a statement, emphasizing that due process must be observed.
“The DOH central office recently received reports of multiple cases filed against Dr. Nicolo before the Ombudsman and the Civil Service Commission (CSC). We are now following established procedures in handling the situation of Dr. Nicolo, so that all may proceed according to the requirements of due process,” stressed Domingo.
The clarification came after a “lady official” allegedly sought Nicolo’s transfer to Zamboanga City, an allegation that Iloilo’s women legislators quickly denied.
The issue gained traction after reports surfaced linking the transfer to Nicolo’s refusal to participate in supposed kickback schemes involving two major hospital projects.
WVMC employees, angered by the transfer order, believed the move was politically motivated and tied to Nicolo’s uncompromising stance against corruption.
Nicolo himself reportedly told contractors he had “never solicited any form of commission or payment” in connection with the projects.
Nicolo, who has served the WVMC for more than 15 years, has steered the hospital toward national recognition, including the DOH’s Gold Trailblazer Award and the region’s first awake craniotomy./PN
