Ex-NBI medico-legal chief charged

A former medico-legal chief of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was charged before the Manila Regional Trial Court on Wednesday for allegedly extorting P200,000 from a doctor in exchange for a “favorable” autopsy report. The Office of the Ombudsman ordered the indictment of Maximo Laro Reyes for direct bribery and violation of RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, based on the complaint of Dr. Lennette Chan who has been accused of medical malpractice. Chan claimed Reyes and his co-accused, Anthony Bernal Castro, NBI Dagupan medico-legal officer, demanded P200,000 from her so they would release a “favorable” autopsy finding on the corpse of her patient, Alma Victoria. Chan performed a caesarean section on Victoria in March 2003, but the patient died several days later. Victoria’s husband decided to file a case of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide against Chan at the NBI Dagupan office. In May, the respondents met with Chan and showed her an autopsy report saying Victoria died of “post-surgical anemia.” They allegedly asked P200,000 from Chan and gave her a deadline to pay up in three weeks. Reyes was arrested after accepting marked money from Chan during an entrapment operation, while Castro was brought in for questioning. Castro denied the allegations and said it was Chan who tried to bribe him. The Ombudsman, however, said there was sufficient evidence to charge Castro and Reyes for violating the Anti-Graft Law. Allison W. Lopez

Taguig school improvements underway

Taguig City Mayor Freddie R. Tiñga stressed Friday that the city government gives utmost priority to the quality of public education, reacting to a media report that cited Silangan Elementary School in Barangay Maharlika Village as having only one toilet bowl for its two thousand students. A check with the school showed that there were eight toilets on campus. However, some of the toilets were found to be not working properly because of the ongoing construction of new classrooms. Raul Villar, Head of the Taguig Facilities Management Office, however, assured students that a toilet upgrade and classroom refurbishment program had already been initiated during the summer break. All toilet facilities would be completely refurbished by August, while all 1,222 classrooms would have been renovated by the end of the year, he added. Mayor Tiñga also noted that the city government is in the process of adding 150 new classrooms before next school year, on top of the 260 that the city had already built since 2001.

Outstanding UP alumni honored today

Forty-seven outstanding alumni of the University of the Philippines led by Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno will be honored at the Araneta Coliseum starting 10 a.m. today. Fifteen families of three or more generations of UP Alumni will also be recognized, namely: the Bañez-Perez family, Consunji family, David-Peczon family, Flor family, Gancayco family, Kintanar family, Lapus-Gozon family, Lopez-Castillo family, Lorenzana family, Oteyza-De Guia family, Niguidula family, Quiason family, Tria family, Valdez family and the Virata family. Another highlight of the celebration is the homecoming extravaganza showcasing performances from alumni and supporters who are outstanding in their own fields of expertise. For tickets or more information about the Grand Alumni Homecoming and other UP Centennial Activities, e-mail the UP Alumni Association at upalum@yahoo.com.ph or up.alum@yahoo.com.

Recyclables market in Pasay

The Manila Doctors College (MDC) will hold a recyclables collection event, “Recyclables Market and Wellness Camp 2008,” from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. today on its Metropolitan Park campus in Pasay City. MDC is an affiliate of the Metrobank Foundation Inc., which launched the event last year as part of its thrust of preserving the environment and promoting healthy lifestyles. Joining the MDC community in the event are members of the Metrobank Group, companies and establishments within the Metropolitan Park area, as well as MDC partner elementary schools in Pasay whose representatives are expected to bring recyclable materials such as used paper, electronics, car batteries, aluminum cans and used cartridges, among other items. These can be exchanged for cash at the buying stations to be set up by participating recyclers.