COA: Municipal health officer can’t be university doctor at the same time

ROMBLON State University’s hiring of a municipal health officer as main campus physician is illegal because it creates a conflict of official functions, state auditors declared in the 2023 audit report released last May 3.

The report noted that the Municipal Health Officer of Calatrava, Romblon was placed on a P20,000 monthly retainer by the RSU Main Campus in Odiongan, Romblon, an hour’s drive away.

Records showed the doctor’s retainer covered the period from September 1 to December 31, 2022, and April 1 to October 31, 2023 computed at 11 months which meant he was paid a total of P220,000.

The audit team, however, said the retainer fee constitutes “illegal expenditure” because it is a prohibited hiring under Section 7 (b) (2) of RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The provision states: “Public officials and employees during their incumbency shall not engage in the private practice of their profession unless authorized by the Constitution or law, provided, that such practice will not conflict or tend to conflict with their official functions.”

According to the physician’s Daily Time Record, he provided service to the university three to seven working days each month logging between 11 and 44 hours. He supposedly reported from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Considering that the services of Dr. Menrige Jr. as the University physician were rendered during his regular working hours as MHO of the Municipality of Calatrava, the same was in conflict with his working hours in doing his official function in the University, thus constitute a prohibited act of a public officer,” auditors said.

The RSU Human Resources Officer informed the audit team that the position of medical officer has been vacant since 2018, leaving the state university no other choice but to hire a service medical practitioner to provide medical services to students and staff.

University officials defended the arrangement, saying the doctors stayed on as Calatrava municipal health officer but attended to the health care needs of the university “by appointment” after regular office hours.

They added the university physician was aware of existing policies and