Lying, uncooperative patients face fine, jail time in Muntinlupa

People who lie or withhold information about their condition while talking to health workers in Muntinlupa City face a fine of P5,000 and imprisonment of up to nine months.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi has approved City Ordinance No. 2020-088, or the “Anti-Patient’s Dishonesty Ordinance of 2020,” which seeks to protect health workers from the risk of contracting the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The ordinance makes it a crime for confirmed COVID-19 infected persons, including suspected and probable cases, “to knowingly and deliberately lie, commit dishonesty, and withhold information such as a residential address, travel history, symptoms experienced and medical condition, among others.”

Those who are unable to pay the fine may be required to render community service.City Health Officer Dr. Teresa Tuliao urged persons under investigation (PUIs) to disclose essential information as the city started mass testing among residents.

“For PUIs who will undergo testing, we implore that you give the City Health Office your genuine address and contact number. As you provide misleading information, you are wasting valuable time when we do contact tracing,” Tuliao said.