Filipino nurse acquitted of sex abuse charge; community rallies to his defense

CHICAGO, Illinois — After 15 months of trial, postponements and continuances, Dioscoro A. Flores, a Filipino-American registered nurse employed at Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Hospital (RIC), was acquitted of the charge of sexual abuse of his quadriplegic patient.

This comes as a victory to the Fil-Am community who rallied to help to support Flores’ defense.

“Numerous people all over the world have gotten in touch with Roy to congratulate him and to express gratitude that the American legal system works, “said Grace Villamora, collaborator of the Friends of Roy Flores Defense Fund.

Trial Judge Maura Slattery Boyle found the accused Dioscoro (aka Roy), “not guilty” beyond reasonable doubt on Jan. 12. Chicago Attorney Daniel H. Wolff represented Flores.

Flores, a native of Oton, Iloilo, was charged and arrested in October 2013 of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, battery, and neglect of a handicapped patient. He was put on administrative leave with pay by the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC).

The patient of Flores is a war veteran who suffered brain injury from a diving incident while off duty in Texas . He is unable to speak. His form of communication is through a “spell board” and eye motions, according to a Chicago Tribune report.

According to a Chicago Tribune report, the patient told his father that Flores allegedly fondled him a second time in August 2013.

Monitored his case

Civic leaders of the Fil-Am community were determined to come to the defense of Flores’ case.

The Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) Chicago chapter, led by President Alma Jaromahun, collected additional legal funds and organized full attendances at Flores’ court hearings. The PNAA is a professional organization whose mission is to uphold the positive image and foster the welfare of Filipino nurses in the United States.

Family, friends, retired Chicago nurses, members of PNAA and Philippine Nurses Association of Illinois (PNAI), and Chicago Deputy Consul Romulo Israel, Jr. attended Flores’ hearing Jan 12.

Former UPAAGC President and Founding Member of AFIRE Grace A. Villamora collaborated with consultant and President of Rizal Travel Center Inc. Isabel Juan, PhD and Gilda B. Small to form the Friends of Roy Flores Defense Fund. They brought the case to the attention of Filipino born lawyer and civic leader Loida Nicolas Lewis who interviewed him for two hours and said “ this man is innocent.”

The Friends of Roy Flores Defense Fund invited world renowned pianist Raul Sunico, PhD, President of the Philippine Cultural Center and Dean of UST Conservatory of Music to perform in Chicago . The concert raised $13,000, according Friends of Roy Flores Defense Fund.

Isabel and Lewis brought the matter to Philippine Ambassador to the U.S., Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., who briefed the Philippine Consulate Chicago officers and staff to monitor the case.

“The acquittal has a huge impact to all the Filipino nurses in the U. S. for justice was served and the truth came out. We should not be afraid to speak up. There is a legal department at PNAA that could provide assistance to Filipino nurses on this kind of issue,” said Alma Jaromahu, PNAA Chicago Chapter President.

Flores was grateful for the help of the Fil-AM community. “Aside from my strong faith to God, I was able to sustain this horrible ordeal because of the overwhelming help, love support of those who came to my rescue.”

Fellow nurses of Flores testified to his high professional conduct and work ethic, Villamora said.