HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin pointed out that St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) is not biased, in reaction to the statement of Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, claiming that Usec. Zuleika Lopez was immediately discharged without the hospital conducting medical tests.
“Mali po ang sinasabi niya na biased ang St. Luke’s Medical Center, ayaw tumanggap ng pasyente,” Garin said.
“May hospital protocol po kung saan foremost among the consideration is patient care and privacy. Una, malamang St. Luke’s did not see the need for Atty. Lopez to be admitted hence the hospital bed can be given to somebody else esp at this time na madami ang sakit,” she continued.
“Pangalawa, hindi pangkaraniwan ang situation ni Atty. Lopez kasi sasamahan sya ng Vice President. Admittedly it’s a security nightmare. Maliban pa dyan yung mga initiating bisita and the circumstances might even lead to demonstrations outside the hospital. Taliwas ito sa protection ng ibang mga paayente na kailangan ang attention, privacy and limited visitors.”
The Iloilo First District Representative explained it would also be difficult for other patients for Lopez to stay in SLMC as there are plenty of security personnel around the hospital as officials such as Vice President Sara Duterte, Senators Dela Rosa and Bong Go were visiting VP Duterte’s chief-of-staff.
“Napakiliit ng area papasok ng ospital, diba? Kung ma-traffic ‘yan at may mga emergency cases hindi agad maaasikaso,” she said.
“Kapag ‘yan emergency situation talaga, hindi nila tatantanan ang pasyente, diba ‘yung iba walang pera, walang pambayad pero agaw-buhay, talagang aasikasuhin ‘yan kasi ‘yan ang obligasyon ng lahat ng ospital,” Garin added.
Lopez is detained at the House of Representatives because of the committee’s ruling that Lopez is not telling the truth regarding the P500 million Office of the Vice President funds and P150-M Department of Education (DepEd) confidential funds.
She is now currently at Veterans Memorial Medical Center.
Meanwhile, Garin said that the House sought the transfer of Lopez for her safety.
