House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro and former ACT Teachers Representative Antonio Tinio today expressed strong opposition to the proposed term extension of Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Director Dr. Gap Legaspi, citing serious concerns over labor issues and adherence to UP system policies.
“The proposed fourth term extension for Dr. Legaspi goes against established UP system policies and sets a dangerous precedent. The UP Code clearly limits administrative positions to three terms, with the third term already considered highly exceptional,” Castro stated.
The lawmakers emphasized that infrastructure development alone cannot address PGH’s deep-seated problems. “In 2023 alone, PGH had 425 unfilled plantilla positions, mostly doctors, workers, and nurses. The hospital continues to rely heavily on contractual workers while regular positions remain vacant. This staffing crisis directly impacts patient care,” Castro pointed out.
Former Rep. Tinio highlighted the concerning shift towards privatization. “The administration’s focus on infrastructure development through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) threatens to commercialize healthcare services at what should be our premier public hospital serving indigent patients.”
“We cannot ignore the persistent complaints of overworked staff, long patient queues, and insufficient medical equipment. These fundamental issues remain unresolved despite nine years under the current leadership,” Castro added.
The lawmakers called on the UP Board of Regents to uphold good governance principles and institutional policies.
“Extending beyond three terms not only violates established protocols but also opens controversies that could affect the entire UP system’s leadership structure,” Castro concluded.#
