VSMMC told not to touch nurses’ lot

THE chief of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center was barred by the court from taking possession of a lot owned by the nursing alumni association.

Executive Judge Francisco Seville of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 7 issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against Dr. Gerardo Aquino, Engr. Danilo Peñaranda, and DSJP Construction.

The issue stemmed from the complaint filed by the Southern Island Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association against the three men, whom they accused of padlocking the gate of its property along Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City.

The TRO is effective for 72 hours. The case will be raffled off to another judge who shall determine whether to extend the TRO.

The association said it was the owner of the 4,434 square meter property and has been paying property taxes.

Last June 12, the respondents allegedly closed the property and had it cordoned and guarded by security guards.

A closed circuit camera was also installed in the area while diggings were made.

The association complained that its members could no longer use the area for parking.

Members of the Bukas Loob ng Dios (BLD) also couldn’t use the area anymore for its regular prayer meetings.

The court ordered the defendants to remove the padlock, security camera, cordon and blue guards.

The association is asking the court to order the defendants to pay P250,000 in moral damages, P100,000 in exemplary damages, P100,000 in attorney’s fees, and P50,000 for the litigation expenses.

Last month, the Southern Island Tennis Club also went to court asking for a TRO after hospital authorities sought to evict them.

The court action was filed pending the conversion of the sports facility into a pay parking area.