Danilo: There’s no turning back
By Hayde Quińanola
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 07:53:00 04/19/2008
He sat quietly in a car parked a few meters outside the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center while hospital officials inside announced the findings of an inquiry into what has become known as the Cebu Black Suede scandal.
When news photographers spotted him, he covered his face with a scarf.
When Danilo, the patient, learned of the findings, and the hospital’s refusal to name the staff members who took part in his earlier humiliation, Danilo decided to make a stand.
Accompanied by his older sister and Basak Pardo barangay captain Dave Tumulak, Danilo got out of the car and walked over to a group of rallyists outside the hospital, where a sympthy picket was going on.
About 20 members of Bayan Muna and affiliate groups fell silent when Danilo stood before them.
He wore sun glasses and his face was covered with blue green scarf.
He did not make a rally speech. Instead, he talked to reporters about his disappointment with the findings that did not identify the medical staff members who were involved in his operation.
“Naghatag sila'g resulta pero wala nila gipagawas ang tinuod. Mopadayon na lang gyud. Wala nay atrasay. (They released the results but they did not tell the truth. We will continue. There's no turning back.),” said Danilo.
He said he was first hesistant to file charges against the staff of VSMMC. But with the committee’s unsatisfactory recommendation, Danilo said he would push through with the charges because he did not get the justice he expected from the hospital.
According to barangay captain Dave Tumulak, they went to VSMMC because Danilo wanted to speak with Dr. Gerardo Aquino, medical center chief, to ask him to “just tell the truth.”
While waiting in the car, Tumulak called the hospital from his cellphone and looked for Aquino.He was told the hospital chief was not around.
So Tumulak drove the car and parked it outside the hospital, about 30 meters away from the rally.
Tumulak said they did not bring Danilo to the press conference because his presence might just create a commotion.
Danilo did not stay long in the rally. He left 10 minutes later when Tumulak noticed that passersby stopped by to ogle Danilo.
Tumulak told reporters that he would hold a press conference in Basak Pardo Barangay Hall at 1 p.m.
Danilo and Tumulak went to the anti-graft office and turned over to Assistant Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Virginia Palanca-Santiago a copy of the video of Danilo's rectal surgery downloaded in a cellular phone.
The video runs for two minutes and 54 seconds.
They also showed Santiago medical records of the Jan. 3 operation.
Tumulak said they would give VSMMC until Monday to release the names of the doctors and nurses involved otherwise they would file criminal and civil charges against the hospital.
“Gusto mi madali ning maong imbestigasyon so kami mismo mao nay mohungit nila sa ilang kaugalingong ebidensya. (We want a quick investigation so we will be the ones to feed them with their own evidence.) ,” said Tumulak.
Tumulak showed a copy of the receipts, laboratory tests, clearance slips, promisory notes and blood request forms that included the dates and names of the doctors and their signatures.
Guiller Ceniza, lawyer of Danilo, said they will file a civil action for damages for violating his client's right to privacy. They will also file a criminal complaint before the Ombudsman-Visayas.
He vowed to file a separate complaint against the nurses and doctors before the Professional Regulatory Commission once they are identified.
Danilo is a bachelor, the sixth of eight children born of a well-known family in Basak-Pardo.
Many of his siblings are professionals or working abroad.
Although he only finished grade 5, Danilo was able to find work as a shop florist.
Tumalak said Danilo comes from one of the oldest families in the village with a good reputation. Not once has a family member been called to the barangay hall to answer for a misdemeanor in the village.
Danilo is gay, but is not loud or flamboyant, preferring to stay at home where he lives with his mother, according to the barangay captain.
When news about Danilo’s rectal surgery came out, neighbors turned protective. They would alert the family and the barangay captain when strangers came asking about the Black Suede patient, especially when queries were made by members of the media.
Out of shame, the florist has stopped reporting for work in the flower shop. He has difficulty sleeping and has lost his appetite to eat.
Tumulak said he thought of bringing Danilo and his family outside Cebu City for a breather once the complaints are filed against the doctors and medical staff. with report from Correspondent Carine Asutilla
|
