Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro has called on officials of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) to explain the admission process granted to former Capitol consultant Byron Garcia, raising concerns over whether standard hospital protocols were followed.
The governor’s remarks have widened the discussion beyond Garcia’s legal case, highlighting long-standing public complaints about delays in admission and treatment in government hospitals.
Baricuatro said she was briefed on the timeline of Garcia’s transfer and admission, which she found unusually fast compared to the experience of ordinary patients seeking emergency care.
“I also question ba nga ngano mang nalasulod dayon less than an hour, nga atong mga patients nga naay brain bleed lisod man gani isulod,” she said.
She added that many families routinely wait for extended periods before securing hospital beds in public facilities, particularly in high-demand cases.
“It happened less than an hour which ordinary people will take it in weeks or even months,” she said.
Despite her concerns, Baricuatro stressed that her statements should not be interpreted as criticism against VSMMC, which she credited for its continued service to Cebu residents and support for provincial health needs.
“Magpasalamat lang sad kog dako sa Vicente Sotto because they’ve been helping us jud sa Province,” she said.
However, the governor said hospital administrators should provide a clear account of the circumstances surrounding Garcia’s admission, including whether any procedures were expedited.
She specifically urged VSMMC Medical Center chief Dr. Gerardo Aquino to address the issue, noting that she also intends to raise the matter directly.
“Pangutan-a ninyo si Dr. Aquino ngano nahitabo to. Kay ako gusto sad ko mangutana niya kung magkita mi,” she said.
Baricuatro also raised the possibility that certain steps in the admission process may have been bypassed, citing the volume of patients regularly seeking care at the hospital.
“I’m sure naa jud toy na-bypass because if we go to Sotto nu daghan kaayog ga linya diha,” she said.
The issue emerged after Garcia publicly claimed he suffered alleged maltreatment while under police custody following his arrest on gender-based online sexual harassment charges.
In a social media post, Garcia said he was first brought to Talisay District Hospital before being transferred to VSMMC for further evaluation and observation. He linked his condition to alleged police maltreatment while remaining under medical supervision.
Baricuatro, meanwhile, emphasized that allegations against law enforcement should be backed by formal complaints.
“I’m sure the police is waiting for an official complaint. If he thinks nga gi maltreat siya then how come until now walay complaint diba?” she said.
“Don’t just accuse the police of maltreatment, file a formal complaint,” she added.
Garcia was arrested on a warrant involving three counts of gender-based online sexual harassment under the Safe Spaces Act, filed by Dr. Elisse Nicole Catalan, a Capitol public health consultant and daughter of the governor.
Court records showed Garcia posted bail amounting to P108,000 on June 13, with arraignment and pre-trial set for July 29, 2026.
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