DOH official berates Rappler journalist for covering hospital inspection

Rappler.com

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

DOH official berates Rappler journalist for covering hospital inspection
Leonita Gorgolon, a DOH officer, demands that Rappler journalist Richard Falcatan submit a formal letter and get her permission before covering and taking photos of a government hospital inspection

ZAMBOANGA CITY – A Department of Health (DOH) official berated Basilan-based Rappler journalist Richard Falcatan for covering a hospital inspection he was invited to cover on Saturday, June 8.

DOH Director Leonita Gorgolon, director for Health Facilities Enhancement Program, shouted at Rappler correspondent and DXNO Basilan station manager Richard Falcatan at the Basilan General Hospital in Isabela City, demanding that he provide a formal letter to authorize him to cover the event.

“Who gave you the permission to cover? You should write first an official letter before covering or taking photos,” Gorgolon said.

Gorgolon is part of DOH’s Health Facilities and Infrastructure Development Team. She insisted that Falcatan ask for permission before taking photos during the inspection of a public place.

“You took pictures of us without asking permission, later on, our faces might land on Rappler,” Gorgolon added.

Earlier, the Basilan General Hospital sent Falcatan a letter inviting him to cover Gorgolon’s visit, together with other journalists, to report updates on the hospital’s state.

“The Basilan General Hospital has invited Director Leonita Gorgolon (and company) of the Health Facilities Enhancement Program of the DOH to conduct an on-site assessment of our hospital…In this connection, we would like to invite you and your crew to cover this important event. Your presence on the aforementioned date will be very much appreciated,” the hospital said in a letter dated on June 4.

INVITATION. Rappler correspondent and DXNO radio manager Richard Falcatan was invited to cover the hospital inspection.

Falcatan said he answered back when Gorgolon raised her voice questioning his presence in the government hospital. “Nakasagutan kami. And later on umalis na ako sa venue. Interview pa sana ako to get their sides regarding  the statement of congressman-elect Mujiv Hataman regarding sa issue ng hospital kasi priority n’ya sa congress to conduct an investigation sa mga projects na BGH.

(We had an argument. And later on I left the venue. I wanted to get their sides regarding a statement by congressman-elect Mujiv Hataman on issues about the hospital. He said he would conduct an investigation into the projects of BGH.) – Rappler.com

 

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!