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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider DOH probes Western Visayas Medical Center chief

DOH probes Western Visayas Medical Center chief

Published Sep 15, 2025 05:40 pm
GARIN, Nicolo, Treñas
GARIN, Nicolo, Treñas
ILOILO CITY—The Department of Health (DOH) is investigating numerous complaints against the  chief of the regional hospital Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) based in this city.
DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo confirmed they are looking into allegations against WVMC chief Dr. Joseph Dean Nicolo who was supposed to be transferred to a hospital in Mindanao.
Last week, DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa revoked the order after news broke out that Nicolo will be transferred to Labuan General Hospital in Zamboanga City.
“We are now following established procedures in handling the situation of Dr. Nicolo,” said Domingo in a statement to Bombo Radyo.
While Nicolo remains as WVMC chief, his supposed transfer to Zamboanga City was allegedly requested by a lady solon of Iloilo.
She allegedly asked for more than P50 million in kickbacks from WVMC projects by using the name of Nicolo who reportedly refused to allow it.
Former DOH Secretary and Rep. Janette Loreto-Garin quickly denied she was the lady solon.
“To the concerned lady official, best for you to refute the allegations. Don’t drag others,” Garin said in a statement on Monday, Sept. 15.
Other politicians, including former Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, also joined the call to support Nicolo, who they claimed has brought good leadership as WVMC reaped many awards. “I stand for Dr. Joseph Dean Nicolo,” Treñas said in his official Facebook page.
Nicolo has pending complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman and the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for allegedly violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act as well as misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of public service, and gross negligence.
Last July, the Ombudsman ordered Nicolo to respond to accusations that he violated the Omnibus Election Code when he signed appointments of personnel for regular positions amid an election ban.
Nicolo allegedly engaged in the overpriced repair of the former DOH-6 regional office adjacent to WVMC for P78 million. He is facing complaints over a substandard equipment. A P70-million magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine of WVMC no longer works after only a year of use.
The WVMC Lung and Heart Building is allegedly operating without an occupancy permit. The P450-million building is reportedly damaged with leaks and cracks two years after it opened.
The Commission on Audit (COA) issued a notice of disallowance for consultancy payments and ordered Nicolo to refund around P900,000.
In 2020, the wife of Nicolo filed complaints for allegedly engaging in extramarital affair and fathering a child with a nurse from another government hospital.
Others complaints against Nicolo include extravagant spending for WVMC events, nepotism, favored suppliers, and mismanagement of a building for leasing.

Related Tags

Iloilo City DOH Western Visayas Medical Center WVMC
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