PROBE MEDICAL CERTIFICATE SCAM – MALOLOS MAYOR

MALOLOS City Mayor Gilbert Gatchalian has sought the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate a “medical certificate scam” and find out whether there were irregularities committed in the issuance of medical certificates to locally stranded individuals and individuals with indispensable travels. In his letter on Monday to NBI-Bulacan addressed to Noel Bocaling, agent in charge, Gatchalian requested a probe “in order to establish the veracity of the allegations” and to “settle once and for all whether irregularities have been committed in the performance of duties of the employees of the city government who are involved in the issuance of the travel authority.” He said allegations that the city health department had been giving undue favor to certain laboratories warrant an independent investigation. Among the alleged irregularities are the chest X-ray requirement and complete blood count (CBC) test before a medical certificate is issued to an individual applying for a travel authority in this city, P100 for the medical certificate and another P400 being charged by a private laboratory clinic that corners all referrals from the city health officer, Dr. Victor Batanes, who made chest X-ray and CBC test mandatory for those applying for a travel pass. Gatchaliaan said his office is also conducting a parallel investigation. The Malolos City Council passed a unanimous resolution ordering City Health Officer Dr. Victor Batanes to stop the collection of P100 for the medical certificate and another P400 being charged by a private laboratory clinic that corners all referrals from Dr. Batanes.