ETHICS

MALENA MIRIAM A. SALALIMA

2-Y-6

Case Study #1

1. What can you say about the decision of Sen. Koko Pimentel?

In my own opinion, the decision made by Sen. Koko Pimentel is quite irrational and a hasty move. He
has not even considered or think twice about his decision accompanying his wife in the hospital. As a
public figure and one who holds a prominent position in the government, he should be a model and an
example to the Filipino people in following rules and regulations sanctioned by our government. The
IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease) have provided
guidelines for the society to follow in dealing with the corona virus epidemic. Being a former Senate
President, he should be aware of the consequences of his actions. It is given that his wife could give
birth at any time but having been confined in a prestigious hospital, it can be assumed that there are
brilliant and competitive doctors and nurses that could assist his wife properly. Hence, the need of
urgency for that matter for him to accompany his wife is not necessarily needed. Also, there is much
more possibility of high risks that he could also contaminate other persons with the virus considering
that he was found to have direct contact with an infected person of corona virus and that his fellow
colleague was also found to be corona-virus positive. Furthermore, the Makati Medical Hospital is a
healthcare facility therefore the necessity for healthy doctors and nurses is a must. His actions have
placed these medical experts at high risk of being contaminated with the virus. If indeed he has
contaminated these individuals, a greater number of sick individuals would not be attended to by health
professionals.

2. Do you think it is right to risk the lives and health of others for your interest? Justify your answer.

I think it is not right or even proper to risk the lives and health of others for your interest. Our laws in
our Philippine Constitution all points and adheres to a basic law and that is, to serve and for the interest
of the greater public. That is why, there are examples of expropriations done by the government in
securing say a piece of land from a private owner so that it may be used by the public as a public road.
The same is true with the case above wherein the health of the greater number of people must be the
priority not only by the government but by the State as well thus it should be above over the personal
interest or benefit of a private individual. In our Civil Code, there is also a law providing that one should
not benefit at the expense of others. If a person would only focus for his own benefit like in the case
where Sen. Pimentel would accompany his wife for his own assurance and contentment that there will
be a fine birth delivery without taking into consideration of the risk he will make out of his actions then
he is being selfish and inconsiderate that others might be contaminated with the virus and worst if say a
person was infected by his doing does not have any capacity to be treated because of being poor, thus,
in effect it is like taking away the opportunity for that person to live. For me, not all people in our
country can afford an extravagant medical treatment thus the actions of Sen. Pimentel placed a greater
number of people at risk.