May 23, 2008
Dear Members,
Greetings from the Philippine
We are pleased to inform you that our organization, the Philippine Academy of Medical Specialists has elected a new set of officers last April 23, 2008. Namely, President: Mona Lisa F. Cosme,MD, FPAMS ((IM); Vice-President: Joey E. Luat, MD, FPAMS (C/Surg); Secretary: Narciso R. Adraneda, Jr., MD, FPAMS (C/Surg); Treasurer: Roselyn L. Dadural, MD, FPAMS (ObGyn).
I hope that you will extend your unwavering support for endeavors benefiting PAMS’ membership.
Thank you for the assistance and cooperation.
We look forward to a more successful partnership with you.
Sincerely yours,
Narciso R. adraneda, MD, FPAMS
Secretary
Mona Lisa F. Cosme, MD, FPAMS
President
February 20, 2008
TO: TO All Chapter Presidents and Board of Trustees
President
You are hereby enjoined to attend the joint Chapter Presidents’ and Board of Trustees Meeting on March 9, 2008, 6: OOPM at PMA Lifebouy, PMA Cmpd.,
Topics to be discussed will be:
1. Strategic plans for 2008
2. Clinical Registry Program
3. CME Program
4. Status of DOH and Gawad Kalinga Memorandum of agreement
5. PAMS Goal for Medical Advancement Program (PGMA) Updates
6. Constitutional amendments
7. Election for BOT 2008 and Updates on 7th Mid-year Convention
8. Other Matters
We hope to gather in good attendance to facilitate easier dissemination of information to all members.
Thank you for your usual cooperation.
Rene C. Catan, MD, FPAMS (Orth)
President
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February 18, 2008
TO : FRESCO B. YAPENDON, MD, FPAMS
President
You are requested to return all documents and vouchers pertaining to PAMS financial report for the year 2007 to the secretary office on or before Thursday, February 21, 2008.
It has come to our knowledge that you have possession of such documents without proper and formal request either from the Executive committee and Board of Trustees. Please explain in writing as to why said documents were removed from the office.
Rene C. Catan, MD, FPAMS (Orth)
President
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TO : FRESCO B. YAPENDON, MD, FPAMS
FROM: RENE CATAN, MD, FPAMS
President
RE : Diplomate Certificates
You are hereby requested to affix your signature on the attached Diploma for distribution to our members, this has been long over due as such documents are needed by the concern members for their PHIC accreditation.
Please submit the same on or before Friday, February 26, 2008 at the secretariat office.
Thank you for your usual cooperation.
Rene C. Catan, MD, FPAMS (Orth)
President
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February 20, 2008
TO : DAISY L. CAMITAN, MD, FPAMS
Chancellor, Dermatology
FROM: RENE CATAN, MD, FPAMS
President
RE : Accreditation
Please follow up and submit report on the PANSA, request for affiliation to PAMS on or before February 29, 2008, coordinate with the secretariat and Dr. Danilo Vergara, Chairman on Membership and Accreditation Committee with regard to the application status.
Thank you for your usual cooperation.
Rene C. Catan, MD, FPAMS (Orth)
President
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February 20, 2008
TO : DANILO VERGARA, MD, FPAMS
Chairman, Committee on Membership and Accreditation
FROM: RENE CATAN, MD, FPAMS
President
RE : Accreditation
Please follow up and submit report on the Philippine Academy of Non-Surgical Aesthetics (PANSA), request for affiliation to PAMS on or before February 29, 2008, coordinate with the secretariat and Dr. Daisy L. Camitan, Chancellor in Dermatology with regard to the application status.
Thank you for your usual cooperation.
Rene C. Catan, MD, FPAMS (Orth)
President
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March 4, 2008
To : Fresco Yapendon, MD, FPAMS (IDTM)
From : The PAMS President
Re : Announcement of Meetings
I have been informed by the Secretariat that you have ordered them to send out invitations for a BoT meeting this week. In as much as I have already called for three previous meetings of the Board, I regret to inform you that this purported meeting does not conform to the requirements set by the SEC of formally informing all the members of the BoT by writing in which the agenda of the meeting will have to be stated.
So as not to confuse our membership any further may I request you to please coordinate with the Office of the President before making such announcements and to discuss the same the date and agenda for proper dissemination. My line of communication is always open for any queries and clarification.
Rene C. Catan, MD, FPAMS (Orth)
National President
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March 4, 2008
To : Fresco Yapendon, MD, FPAMS (IDTM)
From : PAMS President
Re : Return of 2007 Vouchers
This is to follow-up on my previous memo dated February 20, 2008 issued ordering you to return the official PAMS vouchers and receipts covering the period of January to October 2007 which have been reported lost by the Secretariat, the external Accountant and Treasurer. Also explain in writing why such documents are in your possession.
Let me remind you that as an incumbent Vice-President of the PAMS you are to protect the interest of the organization and your actions should not run counter to the its pursuits and ideals.
Your immediate action is expected as soon as possible.
Rene C. Catan, MD, FPAMS (Orth)
National President
February 18, 2008
TO : ALL PAMS MEMBERS
FROM: RENE C. CATAN, MD
President
RE : Clarification of PAMS' Organizational Status
In the previous weeks, most of us were recipients of several scurrilous correspondence, memoranda and text messages masquerading as official PAMS communication. These originated from a misguided few in our organization who, despite their utter lack of mandate, want to arrogate unto themselves functions and prerogatives of the Board of Trustees (Board) and the Executive Officers on the premise of an imagined crisis in PAMS, Like most of you, I was initially inclined to ignore their machinations since these were blatantly in direct violation of our Articles of Incorporation (Articles) and By- Laws as well as of the Corporation Code (Code) and, thus, were clearly unworthy of being dignified with an official reply. However, as this minority persists in its attacks and seems to be taking its ill-advised suppositions too seriously, I am constrained by the urging of our officers and members to one and for all clarify PAMS’ organizational status and preempt the efforts that now threaten to undermine the high ideals of medical professionalism that underpins PAMS’ reason for existence.
It is well to stress at the outset that PAMS, as a corporate entity, is limited only to such rights, powers, and attributes as are expressly granted by law, principally the Code, and its approved charter (i.e, the Articles and By-Laws). The catchphrase “government of laws and not of men” appropriately underscores this point and we need not get into the finer points of corporation law; it suffices that this means PAMS can only undertake such actions as are consistent with what the law provides in conjunction with the provisions enshrined in our Articles and By-Laws as sanctioned by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Any act over and beyond these parameters is ultra vires, illegal and void.
The general authority and Power to manage PAMS’ corporate business belongs to the Board of Trustees.
A corporation exists as a person by fiction of law and can only pursue its corporate purposes through its duly constituted representatives whose acts within their authority are deemed acts of the corporation itself. Thusly, Section 23 of the Code expressly states:
“Unless otherwise provided in the Code, the corporate powers of all corporations formed under this code shall be exercised …trustees to be elected from among the… members of the corporation, who shall hold office for one (1) year and until their successors are elected and qualified.”
It is a well-settled legal postulate that the authority of the Board over corporate affairs is paramount and hold true except in very specific instances when the law reserves judgment and action to the general membership (i.e., changes of a fundamental character such as amendment of the Articles and By-Laws or corporate dissolutions). In fact, within the ambit of its prescribed powers, such Board’s decisions are absolute and may not be interfered with by even the members themselves. The imposition of any devise or agency with the power to supervise or review its acts is repugnant to the Code and is illegal, even if it were the Board itself that creates it, since this would be an abdication of the responsibilities imposed upon it by law.
Based on the foregoing, it is therefore plainly evident that the series of memoranda we received from persons messiahnically proclaiming themselves “founder” of PAMS and claiming by “historical precedence” tremendous superpowers to “impose their will” on our organization; terminate the Executive Officers; force the officers of the Board of Trustees to resign; and conjure up super committees with oversight powers over every aspect of PAMS’ administration are delusional and self-serving. There is no place in our organizational scheme, as outlined in our Articles and By-Laws and as circumscribed by the Code, for the “Council of Advisers”, with prerogatives far superior to the Board, and a permanent Comelec that can disqualify some members from becoming officers on the basis of self-imposed qualifications.
The members of the 2007 Board of Trustees and the Executive Officers are duty bound to continue in office on a HOLD-OVER capacity due to the failure to hold elections during the National Convention last November.
The minutes of the Convention will show how the scheduled elections for new members to the Board had to be called off. The “comelec” insisted on its self-imposed qualification requirements and was poised to disqualify some members who had filed their candidacy; this elicited such an uproar that some delegates threatened to walk-out of the proceedings in protest. At length, the “comelec” relented upon intervention of clearer heads but then the Convention was already in its final stages and quorum was uncertain, so it was decided by the “comelec” to announce a failure of election. (The required report of what transpired has been submitted to the SEC.)
Ironically, this failure to hold elections precipitated as it was by the intransigence of the supposed “comelec” is now being used to impugn the incumbent officers.
There is no question that there must be an election of trustees and officers on the date and under circumstances provided in our By-Laws. However, it is no less settled in corporate jurisprudence that in case of justifiable failure to hold regular elections, as in the present case of PAMS, the incumbent Board should hold-over their office until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
In instances of hold-over, the extent of the powers of the hold-over Board includes the execution of all acts as may be exercised by a regular Board with the possible exception of a fundamental reorganization. Accordingly, the incumbent members of the PAMS Board and Executive Officers are validly continuing their tenure and the claimed crisis in PAMS leadership exists only in the overly-active imagination of a few who are using it as an excuse for a power grab.
You will be pleased to know that PAMS, under the stewardship of the present hold-over Board and Executive Officers, is valiantly forging ahead with an aggressive expansion program to set up new chapters, and providing our membership with meaningful activities through continuing medical education and the Clinical Registry Program. PAMS will pursue its commitment to Gawad Kalinga and with the Department of Health through our medical and surgical missions. Professional development has been the hallmark of this administration.
I hasten to add in this connection, that the present officers have every intention of securing a fresh mandate at the earliest opportune time. A call for a Special Meeting of the General Membership during the Mid-year convention for the purpose of holding an election will be issued in due course.
January 31, 2008
_________________________
_________________________
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Dear Colleague:
The Executive Committee last Monday, January 28, 2008 through a majority decision decided to write a letter of appeal to the Securities and Exchange Commission to allow your current and holdover Board of Trustees to conduct the general elections for the members of the Board. As mandated in Sec. 2, Article III of the PAMS By-Laws which was duly approved by the SEC, it states that “all officers of the association shall hold office for one year and until their successors are duly elected and qualified.” Because of failure of the PAMS COMELEC to conduct an election during 13th Annual Convention your officers, therefore, are duty bound and morally obligated to assure a smooth and peaceful transition of our leadership within the bounds of the PAMS By-Laws and the Corporate Code.
In the meantime, PAMS activities i.e. our continuing medical education, the chartering of new chapters in the provinces, the preparations for our mid-year and annual conventions and the conduct of our diplomate and re-certifying examinations will have to push through. Other major challenges that we face this year are our commitment and involvement in the Department of Health’s program for the disabled, our participation in GAWAD KALINGA, the establishment of our training programs in the provincial hospitals, and strategizing the distribution and use of the mobile units donated to us by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Also included is our support to DR. TIBURCIO S. MACIAS’ candidacy for PMA President. I am certain that this year’s elected officers will have their hands full.
In this regard, please await further instructions through our new website which shall be announced soon. Pamsnet.com has ceased to be our official website because previous announcements released through this site were not known nor cleared by the BOT or the Execom. Furthermore, attempts by the secretariat to gain access to the pamsnet.com website have been unsuccessful since the password has been changed by unauthorized and unscrupulous individuals.
I believe that PAMS’s greatest challenge this year is whether we as a corporate body will be mature enough to withstand the challenges from within. Our By-laws need to be amended to suit our rapidly growing and changing community. Mistrust and internal scheming are rotting our fellowship like cancer that feeds on our doubts and misunderstanding. Let us not get way-laid on the task ahead of us.
I am with the conviction that God in his sovereign wisdom are trying, drilling and molding us for greater challenges in the future. You have a vital part in setting the course of PAMS’s history. Do not allow your privilege to be manipulated or be trampled upon. A clean and honest election is our only option.
Let your vote be counted!
Truly yours,
Rene C. Catan, MD, FPAMS (Orth)
President
Philippine Academy of Medical Specialists
PGMA's Speech during the 13th Academic Meeting and Annual Convention of the Philippine Academy of Medical Specialists (PAMS)
Isla Ballroom, EDSA Shangri-la Hotel, Mandaluyong City
12 November 2007
Thank you so much Dr. Rene Catan and congratulations to you!
To Dr. Daisy Camitan, to PAMS treasurer Dr. Elmer Punzalan and Dr. Gerry Genuino, and all your officers and members for being at the vanguard of a healthy and energetic society at the forefront of a strong economy. Maraming salamat sa inyo.
Noong una inimbita ako, akala ko ang PAMS, Philippine Aassociation of Medical Specialists. Pero marami akong nalaman sa unang mga minuto ng ating pagpupulong ngayon, academy of medical specialists, and that makes you very special indeed.
But before we talked about your uniqueness, let me first thank you for the medical missions and self-help programs of your academy. Notably those that support our goals to cut the cost of medicine and of bringing specialized training to the provinces.
Kanina nung pinag-uusapan namin na academy pala and "A" doon sa PAMS, pinapaliwag sa akin ni Dr. Catan na itong grupo ninyo ay nagbunga noong nagkaroon ng debolusyon. At yung mga doktor na nalipat mula sa national payroll, napunta sa mga payroll ng mga local governments, eh mas maliit kasi ang... Dahil sa linipat ang mga district hospitals naging mabigat para sa local governments ang iba't-ibang mga gastos para sa mga local health services lalo na 'yung specialization, doon pumasok yung inyong academy, tumulong para sa tuloy-tuloy na specialization ng mga devolved medical personnel. Napaka-marangal na layunin. At sa ibabaw noon, dahil kayo ay tumutulong sa mga pamayanang lokal, doon nagbunga rin yung inyong mga medical and surgical missions.
And that is why, I would also like to... That's why I have authorized PAGCOR, ng kakapasok ni President Butch Francisco dito, dalawa ang aking i-aatas sa iyo Butch. Makinig ka hanggang sa dulo ng diskurso ko kasi doon ko ibibigay ang pangalawa. Pero una, I have authorized PAGCOR to release 100 million pesos to set up mobile clinics. This is in support of the outreach programs of your organization.
Pasalamatan natin si Dr. Catan sa PAMS goal for medical advancement. At pasalamatan natin si Dr. Genuino na nag-follow up noong proposal doon sa PAGCOR. Pati na rin for initiating the "Heal the Nation Now" project. As I understand it, the "Heal the Nation Now" project aims for physical, spiritual and political healing.
'Yung political healing. Unity is a real aspiration that manifest itself through progress. People want to know: are we strong? Are we stable? Are we growing as a nation? Is everyone benefiting equally? Is there social justice in the land? Do people feel good about themselves and the society in which they live?
Unity of purpose is driven by a common desire to know where we are going as a nation. To know that our leaders are strong, honest, hardworking and committed to the best interest of the people.
Unity is about action not discussion. It is about working together not just talking together. Within unity there can be and must be room for dissent, even conflict as part of the process of moving the nation forward. At the end of the day, unity is measured by collective hope, commitment and confidence. At yun ang inaasahan natin sa "Heal the Nation Now" movement.
'Yung spiritual healing. A leader must be driven by a strong vision for the nation and the determination to deliver a better life. I, as your leader, I'm driven by my faith in God and my faith in the people of this nation.
I get up everyday and fight in behalf of the average hardworking Filipino. We all share the same values of family, hardwork and faith. The people deserve an honest, hardworking government just as they are honest and hardworking. And so with your help, with the help of the "Heal the Nation Now" movement. We aim to renew our efforts to stamp-out corruption and set a new standard of governance for our nation.
Maraming salamat sa inyong kontribusyon.
Hindi pa ako tapos.
And 'yung physical healing. Dahil naglilingkod kayo sa maraming mahihirap. The prescription of generic or cheaper drugs by your members has healed the sick and tempered the prevailing attitude that only expensive medicines can work. Yung inyong panawagan, nanawagan kayo sa mga legislators.
Congress has demonstrated that when it sets aside self-interest it can produce legislation that improves the quality of life of all Filipinos. The most notable recent example is the bill that reduces the cost of life-giving medicines.
But much more needs to be done to improve human rights, to secure budgets for health care and education, to invest more in peace and order and to advance our national interests with other nations on trade, economy and security issues. And since you have made you call on legislators, indeed, continue to help me call on the legislators to stop political wrangling and concentrate on legislating.
Kasama pa rin sa physical healing, thank you for offering specialization courses leading to diplomates and fellowships in the provinces.
Education is a core value of Philippine society and family life. The hardworking men and women of this nation, including you, put their family first. And the best gift any family can give a child, and any nation can give its people, is access to a good education.
Education is the foundation of economic prosperity and individual liberty, social justice and self worth. That is why we continue to invest in new school construction at the elementary school level, and to bolster our college scholarship program for those high school students ready for higher education.
At doon naman sa nagtapos na ng college gaya ng medicine at nagtapos na ng kanilang board exams at ngayon ay nagpa-practice sa mga local governments, maganda yung inyong ginagawa. At sana makatulong sa inyo yung programa rin ng pamahalaan na 'yung mga primary hospitals ay ginagawa nating secondary hospitals. At yung mga secondary hospitals kung saan marami ang mga populasyon pero kulang ang tertiary hospitals ay ginagawa nating tertiary hospitals. Hindi lang, ito ay makakapagbigay ng magandang paglilingkod sa taumbayan kundi doon din pwedeng magkaroon ng mga hours yung mga gusto niyong bigyan ng mga fellowships at diplomates.
Magbibigay ako ng isang halimbawa. Noong ako ay nandoon sa Eastern Samar itong weekend nagkaroon ng diarrhea outbreak doon sa Gamay, sa eastern part doon sa pacific side ng Northern Samar. At yung hospital ng Gamay kung saan sila dinala 25 beds ang capacity pero 600 ang total number of patients. Mula sa Tacloban nagpabili ako sa PCSO ng mga dextrose at ibang gamot. At dahil meron akong military and police helicopters na kasama at 5:30 in the morning, kasi binili yung... Nakuha yung balita ng hapon ng biyernes, binili yung gamot nung gabi ng biyernes. Sabado ng 5:30 am, yung helicopter kasama ng mga doktor... At iyung mga gamot kasama ng mga doktor ng military at yung nakuhang doktor na nandoon ay lumipad sa gamay. And thank goodness, yesterday, tumawag ako sa gobernador ng northern samar ay marami nang na-discharge dahil sa dumating na mga dextrose at iba pang gamot at mga doktor na tumulong.
Pero ang leksiyon dito ay yung Gamay kawawa naman. Eh hindi naman makakapunta yung mga pasyenteng may diarrhea sa Catarman dahil maraming lugar doon walang kalsada. Nagtatayo nga tayo ng mga kalsada ngayon doon sa pacific side. Kaya mas mabuti na kaysa aayusin pa natin at gagawing tertiary hospital doon sa malayong lugar, sabi ko kay Secretary Duque, gastusan na lang natin yung hospital ng gamay at gawin nating secondary hospital.
At sana doon sa secondary hospital kahit na meron isa lang na espesyalistang surgeon, meron isang espesyalistang anesthesiologist, meron isang espesyalistang gynecologist dahil iyon ang mga pangangailangan for secondary. Magiging pagkakataon din na yung mga doktor sa banda roon ay makapag-diplomate or fellowship training na rin sa ilalim ng PAMS.
Eradicating poverty is the central mission of this government and our society. Yun ngang lugar na yun, Northern Samar, wala na siya doon sa top 10 poorest provinces pero kasama sa top 20. Kaya kailangan ang mga kalsada, upgrading ng hospital na malayo and so on. But today back here in manila, nakikita ko nagtatayo na tayo ng mga christmas decoration sa mga kalsada. As we enter the holiday season, it's essential that every person of means help those in need. The government is doing everything in its power to be a catalyst for this process.
We can't say that we have moved forward as a nation if we don't lift up the poor and hungry among us. Kaya dito darating ang aking pangalawang utos sa PAGCOR, Butch. Ewan ko kung alam ni Efraim ito. Hindi pa niya yata alam, kaya ikaw na ang bahala to make sure it happens. Aside from the p100 million for mobile clinics, I am instructing PAGCOR to contribute 100 million pesos to help ensure that the needy throughout our nation will have access to affordable rice during this holiday season.
Sama-sama tayong magtulungan. Let's be united and heal the nation politically, spiritually and physically.
Working all together, we will be able to heal the nation.
Mabuhay ang Academy of Medical Specialists!
Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat.
