Doctors’ group wants action vs. medical certificates for sale

The Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) has sounded the alarm on the selling of fake medical certificates online.

According to Jun Veneracion’s “24 Oras” report on Wednesday, different kinds of medical certificates—including death and vaccine certificates—are being offered online, with purveyors saying they can also edit documents.

The PCP, composed of thousands of doctors, appealed to law enforcement units to pay attention to the matter.

“Can you just imagine yung isang tao na may nakakahawang sakit binigyan mo ng medical certificate na pwede siyang magtrabaho, pumasok. It exposes yung mga makakasama niya sa trabaho. As far as public health is concerned, it poses a risk,” said PCP immediate past president Dr. Maricar Limpin.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group warned the public against obtaining these fake medical certificates online.

“Pagka falsified ang document he will be liable, pwede siyang matanggal sa trabaho,” said PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group chief PIO Police Lieutenant Colonel Jay Guillermo.

“Kung the DOH [Department of Health] will be asking or doctors association pwede natin silang tulungan to crack down yung mga ganitong modus operandi,” he added.

“Cha” said she inquired with several Facebook pages and bought a medical certificate after being absent for three days.

“Marami naman po silang sumagot actually kahit hindi nga po doon sa pinagkomentan ko, magugulat ka may magme-message sa iyo sa Messenger. ‘Hi need mo ng medical certificate?’ Ganyan,” Cha said. — Richa Noriega/BM, GMA Integrated News