REPRISAL OR MISMANAGEMENT?: WVMC chief’s transfer stirs debate on politics, performance

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor and Gerome Dalipe

Health workers and patients are rallying behind the head of Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC), whose reassignment to a hospital in Zamboanga City is allegedly tied to political maneuvering.

A Department of Health (DOH) order dated Aug. 29 directed WVMC chief Dr. Joseph Dean Nicolo to assume the position of Medical Center Chief (MCC) II at Labuan General Hospital in Barangay Labuan, Zamboanga City.

Nicolo currently holds the same MCC II position at WVMC.

“Under this order, Dr. Nicolo shall perform functions vested in the MCC II position, including policy-determining matters and signing of appointments,” the directive signed by DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa read.

The order did not specify the reason for Nicolo’s reassignment and took effect immediately.

On Facebook, WVMC staff and patients expressed gratitude and admiration for Nicolo’s leadership, using the hashtags #KeepDocNicolo and #FaceOfWVMC.

Supporters highlighted his tenure, during which the hospital achieved recognition for transparent governance, performed groundbreaking procedures, and received commendations from the DOH and World Health Organization for hospital performance and laboratory excellence.

“Nicolo is more than a hospital director — he is the Face of WVMC, a leader who has touched lives and inspired many,” read one widely shared post.

The reassignment has stirred controversy after a group of WVMC employees accused a “lady lawmaker” of orchestrating Nicolo’s transfer.

The lawmaker allegedly demanded a PHP 8 million commission from the contractor of the Cancer Care Center, which began construction in April 2024, using Nicolo’s name to back the request.

She was also accused of seeking an additional PHP 45 million from the Heart and Lung Care Center, inaugurated in April 2024.

When the matter reached Nicolo, he reportedly denied involvement and warned contractors not to believe claims that he was asking for money.

Employees believe his rejection of the alleged scheme led to his removal as WVMC chief.

First District Rep. Janette Garin, Second District Rep. Kathryn Joyce Gorriceta, Fifth District Rep. Binky April Tupas, and Iloilo City Lone District Rep. Julienne “Jam-Jam” Baronda denied any role in the reassignment order.

Baronda said Nicolo’s transfer was an “internal matter” of the DOH and WVMC, criticizing online trolls for dragging her into the controversy.

“That’s absurd. That is just a lie. Total lie,” she said.

Garin, in an interview with Bombo Radyo Iloilo, also denied involvement.

She said she was able to speak with Herbosa after the order was made public.

Garin said Herbosa confirmed that a “lady official” requested Nicolo’s transfer due to alleged corruption and questions about his competence, though she did not disclose the official’s identity.

PURGE OR PAPER SURGE?

Nicolo’s fate has also been the subject of two narratives: one decries political reprisal while another points to a paper trail of mismanagement.

Supporters say Nicolo was pushed out after rejecting alleged kickback demands tied to multi-million-peso projects, which he denied.

But an internal “white paper” circulated by rival groups and DOH auditors framed the move as fallout from administrative, financial, and operational failures.

The document cited pending cases before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas and Civil Service Commission alleging graft, misconduct, and irregular appointments, including charges linked to the election-ban period.

It noted state auditors’ disallowances and internal audit findings, including nearly PHP 900,000 in consultant payments ordered refunded and questioned lease and construction timelines.

The paper also flagged procurement issues such as overpriced repairs, favored suppliers, and equipment that broke down prematurely — including an MRI that became unserviceable after one year.

It alleged extravagant event costs, more than 1,000 plantilla hires in a single year, and appointments made during the 2025 election-ban period.

The PHP 450 million Heart and Lung Care Center was also cited for leaks, cracks, and occupancy issues, while PHP 5.6 million was spent on signage as basic supplies like beds and stretchers ran low.

As a former DOH chief, Garin said reassignments of hospital heads normally undergo a stringent process.

According to her, Herbosa admitted that no investigation or consultation was conducted before issuing the order.

“First, there should be a reason. Second, the transfer should be to a higher-level hospital that needs the service. Other reasons could be the chief is non-performing or other major issues,” she said.

WVMC is a tertiary-level hospital, while Labuan General Hospital is a Level II facility.

“There should be an investigation, supposedly,” Garin said, stressing that transferring a hospital chief at the request of a politician is unlawful.

She said if there were genuine allegations of corruption or incompetence, these should have been backed by evidence such as delayed salaries, poor hospital facilities, or lapses in service delivery.

She added that Nicolo could have been reassigned earlier in his career if incompetence was an issue, but instead WVMC improved under his leadership.

“There was no due process. Second, you cannot transfer a person to a small hospital because that is a demotion,” Garin said.

She warned that demoting Nicolo could demoralize other health workers.

Garin also revealed that Herbosa committed to recalling the reassignment order, although a new directive has yet to be issued.

FINAL ORDER AWAITED

WVMC management on Friday said they are coordinating with authorities to verify the status of Nicolo’s reassignment.

The hospital noted that the transfer order was posted on the DOH Intranet on Sept. 10 but was removed the following day.

WVMC reminded employees to practice responsible engagement in public discourse and social media, especially regarding speculations of kickbacks in hospital projects.

“The allegations shall be handled by the appropriate authorities, and it is not for us to give information unless verified and fact-checked,” the hospital said.

It also called on the public to remain calm and professional while continuing to provide high-quality healthcare.