PNA gives lawyer to nurses in taping scandal

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Nurses Association Cebu Chapter has provided a lawyer to two of its members who were involved in the controversial taping incident at the Cebu Puericulture Center and Maternity House, Inc.

PNA Cebu Chapter president Edith Rose Santos said that the association’s lawyer will be assisting Arianne Mae Pacula and Kamille Isabela Neri.

Pacula and Neri were the nurses on duty on May 9 when Jasmine Badocdoc discovered her baby Yohannes’ mouth was taped. Santos said that the association is still meeting to decide what other assistance the organization can extend to its members.

“Kami ang ni-reach out nila kay members man sila sa organization and we want to hear their side nga gikan gyud nila ba,” she said.

Santos said she advised the nurses during the meeting last Wednesday to tell the truth because ‘the truth will set them free.’

“Ako lang silang giingnan if gi-pressure ba sila sa hospital, pero niingon sila nga wala,” she said, adding that the hospital’s lawyer also advised them to be truthful in their statements.

She said that in the meeting, the nurses reiterated that they did not tape baby Yohannes’ mouth.

Pacula admitted in earlier reports that she fastened a pacifier to a baby twice within her one year experience in the nursery, while Neri, who has worked for four years, admitted that she has taped four times.

Santos said, as a nurse herself, there is a possibility that the policy is intact but taping with pacifier is a practice. However, she said it is not the mistake of the nurses.

“Kun practice na nila, dili sala sa nurse. The tendency is to adapt the norms of the environment,” Santos said.

“Maybe the administration, behind their eyes and nose wala gyud sila kahibaw….Diba niingon siya (Pacula) nga ‘I presume’ so, nganong maka-presume man siya? Kay naanad na siya nga gibutangan og pacifier kay nagsige na og hilak?” Santos added.

At least four taping incidents involving maternity house have been reported so far. On May 9, Ryan Noval uploaded a photo of his son with lips sealed with a plaster causing public uproar.

On May 24, Chesiel Lyka Arsua also posted a photo of her baby Blair with a similar tape on her lips to put in place a pacifier. Last Tuesday, Lucresio Son, claimed that his grandson was also taped in the same hospital.

But Noval claimed that there is a fourth baby who suffered the same fate while at the maternity hospital.

Santos asked the public not to pass judgment on the nurses involved and the entire nursing profession.

“Wala gyud ra ba ta kahibaw kun kinsa gyud ang nag-tape,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights-7 will meet with the family of the second and third babies to ask them to file a formal complaint.

“They signified to come to the office tomorrow (May 30),” CHR-7 lawyer Dante Jadman told The FREEMAN.

“As to Lyka, she has to ask permission from her partner whether to file a complaint or not but as to Lucresio he is willing to support the action of Ryan for he doesn’t want to happen again what his apo been through,” he added. (FREEMAN)