CHCC board chair explains wife’s hiring

Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. board chair Joaquin Torres yesterday came into the open about the hiring of his wife at the public hospital, an issue he claimed is being held against him amid criticisms received by the management from the board.
Diana Verdejo joined the corporation as personnel specialist II for the Commonwealth Health Center’s human resources office effective Feb. 7. Prior to this position, she was an administrative officer (officer-in charge for human resources office) at the Department of Public Safety, and formerly an administrative assistant at the Office of Grants and Special Projects.

Verdejo also worked at L&T International Corp. for over 13 years as executive assistant for both the Office of the President and the Human Resource Department, among previous jobs. Verdejo holds a degree in business administration.

“My wife never used me or my name to get a job. She was hired because of her qualifications,” Torres explained.

According to the board chairman, Verdejo got the job on her own merit and not by any influence or favor asked from the management. The chairman, who has been on the board for two years now, admitted that he initially objected to his wife’s application to the hospital job. But he has to respect his better half’s decision, he added.

“I objected and pleaded with my wife to reconsider working for CHCC because I did not want my views and action as a board member compromised or tempered because she is an employee of the corporation. I had warned her about the downside and the potential consequences of working in an unfriendly work environment because of my views and action as a board member. It was entirely my wife’s decision to seek employment with CHCC and I have to respect that decision, notwithstanding my view on the subject,” said Torres yesterday.

Verdejo, he added, went through an interview and proper process pursuant to the job vacancy announcement posted by the corporation.

The corporation posted the job vacancy announcement for personnel specialist II last Jan. 27, which closed last Feb. 3. Based on the announcement, the position requires a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of six years experience in the “specialized personnel areas.”

Yesterday, Torres challenged individuals who may have doubted the fact to review his wife’s application documents and credentials.

“I will ask my wife to immediately resign if a review of the records show that my wife was hired for reasons other than merit (qualification). Public Law 16-51, the law establishing the corporation, requires that CHCC must have a merit-based employment policy. All employees must be hired based on merit (qualification),” he added.

Recently, Torres—along with other CHCC board members—have been vocal in criticizing CHCC management specifically for incomplete financial reporting. The issue of unfilled permanent chief financial officer position for two years has also been questioned.

For the chairman, the board—even as an advisory body—has a fiduciary duty to ensure that mandates of the law is satisfied including ensuring that healthcare is delivered in a financially responsible manner. Torres is alluding to Public Law 16-51, which requires CHCC to hire a CFO who shall have at least a master’s degree in business administration and five years experience in healthcare finances.

“I hope that CHCC management does not resort to this despicable diatribe every time a board member speaks about management deficiencies. If my wife was hired as a favor, would I be criticizing someone who did me a favor? It doesn’t make sense, does it?” added the chairman.

Torres said he felt bad for putting his wife through such “childish exercise.”

“But I have no plans to remain silent when I see management deficiencies. The relevant issue here is about fiscal accountability and stewardship,” said Torres.