Who is she, Doc Nicolo?

By Herbert Vego

AS of this writing, Dr. Joseph Dean L. Nicolo — Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) chief – has not revealed who she is.

“She” refers to the still unrevealed lady congresswoman who allegedly attempted to influence Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa to transfer Nicolo to Labuan General Hospital (LGH) in Zamboanga City – a subtle demotion.

Labuan is a level 1 hospital that offers only basic medical services, while WVMC is level 3 with comprehensive and specialized tertiary care, advanced diagnostic facilities, and treatments like dialysis and physical rehabilitation.

The story goes that the lady solon had tried to ask a ₱53 million “commission” from the two contractors – identified only as “Encabo” and “Gurrea” – who had built two buildings within the hospital compound at a combined cost of ₱800 million on the pretext of sharing it with Dr. Nicolo.

So, is it true that the attempted deal did not push because Nicolo refused to conform?

That the spurned legislator “retaliated” by asking for Doc’s head to roll to far Zamboanga on unrevealed grounds?

Fortunately, Dr. Herbosa rescinded his transfer order.

Since there are only four lady representatives in the city and province of Iloilo, who of them demonized Doc Nicolo?

“Not I” was the common answer the four separately  said on radio. So, one is admitting.

Of course, the culprit is not expected to admit.  We can only imagine her begging Doc Nic and the two contractors to keep their lips sealed.

A few of our readers have posted their reactions to the mystery.  Here’s one Facebook post from our friend Doods Moragas, a retired senior assistant vice-president of the Philippine National Bank who now lives in Seattle Washington:

“I have two suspects in mind, both known for their corruption appetite. If the order was not based on demerits as Nicolo is bemedalled, ang nagpatigayon sa pagsaylo must have clout over the DOH Secretary. If the request to reverse the order was by another congresswoman, would the congresswoman who asked for the order not feel bad or simply ignore it?”

Oh well, time will tell.

-oOo-

ON POSTPONEMENT OF BSK ELECTIONS

IT has been one month since President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed into law Republic Act No. 12232, which postpones the December 2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) and moves them to the first Monday of November 2026.

Under RA 12232, subsequent regular BSKE will be held every four years thereafter and the term of office of all elected barangay and SK officials shall be four years.

No elective barangay official shall serve for more than three consecutive terms in the same position.

That ought to appease us who are bothered by reports indicating violent altercations among aspiring candidates and their supporters. It is almost impossible to go over a police blotter without discovering verbal or physical tussles among adversaries.

On the lighter side, white envelopes had allegedly run out, bought by “generous” candidates for one obvious reason.

Before the postponement, we had been hearing reports alluding to barangay leaders asking allied politicians for a budget to buy votes.

Naku, nakawala pa ang suwerte.

-oOo-

ANOTHER SAFETY TIP FROM MORE POWER

“OVERLOADING outlets with multiple appliances can cause overheating and increase the risk of fire,” says a safety tip now showing on MORE Power’s FB page.

“Plug only what the outlet can safely handle. Use power strips with surge protection if you need more sockets, and avoid daisy-chaining extension cords.”

I asked an electrician to explain why. Let me summarize.

An overloaded electrical outlet, or circuit, happens when too many devices draw power from a single electrical circuit, exceeding its capacity and leading to overheating, which can cause fires. An overload reveals signs, such as tripping breakers, dimming lights, a burning smell or odor from an outlet, a warm or discolored outlet cover, or scorch marks on plugs or outlets.

To prevent this, distribute devices across multiple circuits, avoid using excessive extension cords or power strips, and ensure high-power devices plugged directly into the wall.

Therefore, distribute high-power appliances and electronics across different circuits to avoid exceeding the capacity of any single circuit.