INSTALL DR. GONZALES NOW!

Honorable Professor Emerlinda R. Roman, PhD
President, University of the Philippines System
Diliman, Quezon City
Philippines


Madame President,

Whereas, the Board of Regents (BOR), by a vote of 6 to 5, appointed Dr. Jose C. Gonzales on December 18, 2009, as the new director of the Philippine General Hospital starting on January 1, 2010. This decision was announced by the Office of the Secretary of the University of the Philippines System in its publication dated January 4, 2010.

Whereas, before the vote, the eligibility of the Student Regent, Ms. Charisse B. Baсez, to vote on this appointment was deliberated by the Board in her absence and the decision was to allow her to vote. This very issue is being protested by Regent Abraham Sarmiento, after the fact.

Whereas, Dr. Gonzales was sworn in as the incoming PGH director on December 21, 2009 by no less that the Chairman of the Board of Regents, Dr. Emmanuel Angeles, in recognition of the BOR appointment and the importance of a smooth transition for the sake of PGH patients and personnel.

Whereas, Dr. Mike Alfiler, the outgoing director, had already served with distinction for two consecutive terms as PGH director and that Article 79 of the University of the Philippines allows only two terms except in very exceptional cases.

Whereas, Dr. Gonzales had taken the oath of office in the presence of the UP Manila Chancellor, Dr. Ramon Arcadio on January 7, 2010.

Whereas, Dr. Gonzales has the support of the vast majority of PGH personnel, both medical and non-medical, and other involved groups such as medical residents and students.

Whereas, we believe that the opposition to the appointment of Dr. Jose C. Gonzales as PGH Director is baseless as the very core of the protest had been deliberated prior to the vote.

Whereas, your honor, President Roman, issued a memorandum No. PERR-2010-001 on January 5, 2010, your very first one of the new year, effectively rescinding the appointment of Dr. Gonzales, and instead appointing Dr. Ramon Arcadio as Officer-In-Charge (OIC), countermanding the swearing in of Dr. Gonzales by BOR Chair Dr. Angeles, and, unilaterally deciding the outcome of the protest of a single Regent, before said protest could be acted upon by the full Board.

Whereas,in addition to the irregularity of reversing a BOR decision, the complexity and severity of the needs of the Philippine General Hospital requires the full attention of a full-time Director, and not an Officer-in Charge in the person of UP Manila Chancellor Dr. Arcadio.

Therefore, we, the petitioners, implore your Honor, to safeguard the health of the indigent patients of the Philippine General Hospital, protect the welfare of its underpaid and overworked personnel and strengthen the education of our future doctors, by immediately implementing the decision of the Board of Regents to appoint Dr. Jose C. Gonzales as the new PGH Director and rescind the above mentioned memorandum.


Signed: