Hospital denies negligence in handling actor's brother

The Cardinal Santos Memorial Medical Center denied being negligent in handling the body of Cesar Montano's brother, Police Officer 3 Ronald Manhilot, whom it pronounced dead on arrival on Nov. 11. The hospital made the denial in a statement aired on GMA's StarTalk on Saturday, and the story was posted on Sunday at the website of Philippine Entertainment Portal (www.pep.ph). Manhilot, 47, was taken to the hospital after having a heart attack. Montano accused the hospital of placing his brother's body in a storeroom that had construction materials instead of in a morgue. Manhilot's family asked for a regular room, but the hospital refused. In its statement, the hospital explained its refusal: “The medical center is currently under going complete renovation and construction is ongoing simultaneously in several parts of the hospital including the morgue. So, as expected some portions of the hospital are not in its optimum condition. "Unfortunately, we cannot also grant the wishes of the family to admit the remains of Mr. Manhilot in a hospital room since this is against hospital regulation as it may post a possible health risk to other hospital patients. "Maraming salamat po at kami ay muling nakikiramay sa yumaong Mr. Rolando Manhilot (Thank you very much and we again extend our condolences on the passing away of Mr. Rolando Manhilot.” For the full story, visit the PEP website at www.pep.ph. - GMANews.TV