Romblon State University's hiring of a municipal health officer as the main campus physician has been declared illegal by state auditors, citing a conflict of official functions. The declaration was made in the 2023 audit report released on May 3.
The audit report revealed that the Municipal Health Officer of Calatrava, Romblon, was placed on a P20,000 monthly retainer by the RSU Main Campus in Odiongan, Romblon, approximately an hour's drive away. The retainer covered two periods: from September 1 to December 31, 2022, and from April 1 to October 31, 2023, totaling 11 months. The doctor received P220,000 for this duration.
The audit team labeled this retainer fee an “illegal expenditure,” referencing Section 7 (b) (2) of RA 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. This section prohibits public officials and employees from engaging in private practice of their profession during their incumbency unless explicitly authorized by law, and only if such practice does not conflict with their official duties.
According to the physician's Daily Time Record, he provided services to the university three to seven days each month, logging between 11 and 44 hours, usually reporting from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The auditors noted, “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.”
The RSU Human Resources Officer informed the audit team that the position of medical officer had been vacant since 2018, leaving the university with no choice but to hire an external medical practitioner to provide medical services to students and staff.
University officials defended the arrangement, asserting that the doctor continued his duties as Calatrava municipal health officer and attended to the university's health care needs “by appointment” after regular office hours. They emphasized that the physician was aware of existing policies and performed his duties “in good faith.”
However, the auditors countered that as a municipal health officer, the doctor was expected to render full-time service daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.
They concluded, “The services rendered at the University during said period were in conflict with his duties as MHO. Thus, the payments for the Retainer’s Fee as University Physician for the said period are considered illegal, hence disallowed in audit.”
