Leadership row spells trouble for PHL Medical Association

A power struggle seems to ail the Philippine Medical Association, the country's premier organization of medical practitioners, after two candidates for its presidency insisted on having the rightful claim to the PMA's leadership.

 

On Monday, Dr. Minerva Calimag, who won the election for the PMA presidency last March, issued a news release saying she assumed her post on Sunday and denied re-electionist Leo Olarte's efforts to block her move.

 

Calimag said she issued a memorandum to PMA members to "disregard" Olarte's intention to nullify the proclamation of the new leaders, including PMA vice president Dr. Bayani Tecson.

 

“I have been proclaimed and inducted during the closing ceremonies of the 107th PMA Annual Convention on May 23, 2014 with Olarte himself turning over the PMA’s presidency to me in the same meeting," she said.

 

She called on PMA members to ignore an alleged resolution forming a new Commission on Elections and Electoral Tribunal of the PMA, saying this was a "downright lie and misrepresentation because this was not ratified by the General Assembly in the said convention.”

 

The PMA held its election last March 16.

 

Calimag pointed out Olarte is facing a tax evasion complaint filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

 

Olarte supporters

 

However, a report by radio dzBB's Allan Gatus said Olarte's supporters insisted he is the rightful winner of the election.

Ilang mga doktor, iginigiit ang pag-upo sa pwesto ni Dr. Leo Olarte bilang presidente ng PMA. pic.twitter.com/4exgXKfGZ2 | via @allangatus

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) June 2, 2014

 

The report quoted Olarte's supporters as saying Calimag violated the election code when she failed to reply to a complaint lodged against her, and thus nullified her candidacy for PMA president.

 

FLASH: Kandidatura ng bagong-halal na pangulo ng PHL Medical Assoc., kanselado dahil sa umano'y paglabag sa election code. | @allangatus

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) June 2, 2014

 

The row is causing tension at the PMA head office in Quezon City Monday morning, the report said. – Joel Locsin/VS, GMA News