MANILA – Medical specialists and nurses from the Social Security System yesterday filed criminal and administrative complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against SSS president and chief executive officer Emilio De Quiros, Jr.

The group claimed they were deprived of their Magna Carta benefits when they were declared not public health workers.

In their complaint, the doctors and nurses led by Dr. Oscar Villaroman, Jr. told Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales that De Quiros violated Republic Act No. 3019, or the "Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act" particularly Sections 3 (e) and (f).

They said that De Quiros should also be held administratively liable for being unreasonable, unfair, oppressive, or discriminatory, and for acting without justification.

The complaint arose from the May 30 office order issued by De Quiros regarding the guidelines in granting additional compensation to Public Health Workers following the provisions of Republic Act No. 7305, or the "Magna Carta of Public Health Workers".

Based on these guidelines, the doctors and nurses assigned in branches of SSS cannot be considered public health workers. De Quiros’ office order provides that only those personnel assigned in the Health Care Department of SSS' main branch and in clinics which will be established in the future are considered health workers.

It took effect on June 1 and resulted in the cancellation of Magna Carta health benefits to 170 doctors and nurses of SSS.

The benefits include hazard, subsistence and laundry pay. The complainants said that on June 20, 2000, the Commission on Audit already classified all medical units of SSS as public health workers. They said they had already written several demand letters to De Quiros but were ignored.

The complainants also said that the act of De Quiros without approval of the Secretary of Health was done in utter bad faith, contrary to the Magna Carta for Public Health Workers, its implementing rules and jurisprudence interpreting it.*PNA

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