The Valenzuela City local government has brokered an amicable resolution between a private hospital and victims of the reported "Palit-Ulo" scam which targeted patients and their families through unethical practices.
Mayor WES Gatchalian, Councilor Attorney Bimbo Dela Cruz, DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa, and the victims of the private hospital conducted a press conference on Monday, Dec. 23. (Photo by Hannah Nicol/MANILA BULLETIN)
In a press conference, Mayor Weslie “WES” Gatchalian and Councilor Attorney Walter “Bimbo” Dela Cruz announced that after seven month, the city government facilitated a dialogue between the management of the private hospital and the victims.
The dialogue resulted in an amicable resolution with the hospital extending financial assistance of P1,000,000 to each victim.
Additionally, one victim was finally issued a birth certificate after seven years.
The mayor expressed gratitude to the hospital for its voluntary cooperation and efforts to resolve the matter.
The "Palit-Ulo" scam which was first reported in April 2024, involved allegations of illegal detention and coercion by healthcare institutions, sparking outrage among Valenzuelanos and drawing nationwide attention.
Victims reported being detained or having the documents of their deceased loved ones withheld due to unpaid medical bills.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2024/4/3/valenzuela-gov-t-probes-private-hospital-for-illegal-detention
In response to these incidents, the Valenzuela City Government enacted Ordinance No. 1178, Series of 2024, also known as the Anti-Hospital Detention Ordinance.
“Nais ding ipaalala ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Valenzuela na mayroon ng ordinansang tinatawag na VC ANTI-HOSPITAL DETENTION ORDINANCE na naglalayong protektahan hindi lamang ang mga pasyente kundi na rin ang kanilang mga kamag-anak o mga indibidwal laban sa sapilitang pagdetena sa kanila ng mga pribadong ospital dito sa Valenzuela para lang mabayaran ang kanilang hospital bills,” Gatchalian said.
The ordinance prohibits healthcare institutions or workers from detaining patients or withholding birth and death certificates due to unpaid bills, provided a notarized promissory note is executed.
Gatchalian reiterated the city government’s commitment to protecting its citizens from exploitation and vowed to assist victims of wrongful practices.
He commended the Valenzuela Police for their swift action in investigating the case and the LAMP-SINAG Legal Aid Office for helping the victims file criminal and administrative cases to protect their rights.
“Nagpapasalamat din ang lokal na pamahalaan ng Valenzuela sa ating kapulisan sa naging maagap nilang pagtulong sa pag-imbestiga ng issue na ito. Gayundin, sa mga abogado mula sa LAMP-SINAG Legal Aid Office sa pagtulong sa mga biktima sa paghain ng kasong kriminal at administratibo para maprotektahan ang kanilang mga karapatan sa ilalim ng batas,” the mayor said.
“Sa Commission on Human Rights at Department of Health sa kanilang naging maagap na pagresponde at pagtutok sa naging issue na ito,” Gatchalian added.
The event was attended by Valenzuela City Police Station (VCPS) Chief Col. Nixon Cayaban, Department of Health Secretary Dr. Ted Herbosa, city officials, and representatives of the victims’ families, who expressed their support for the pursuit of justice.
Gatchalian called on Valenzuelanos to stay informed and vigilant against similar scams, emphasizing the importance of upholding the city’s values of compassion, integrity, and justice.
He expressed hope that the case serves as both a lesson and a warning to those who exploit the vulnerable.