DHS Manzanero Still Responsible to Submit COVID List under S.I. 134
Director of Health Services, Doctor Marvin Manzanero, remains subject to the controversial Statutory Instrument 134 which requires him to submit to the Minister of National Security the names of all COVID-19 patients. Failure to do so criminalizes the DHS. Despite concerns being raised about confidentiality between doctor and patient, there has been no directive from the National Oversight Committee to revise the existing legislation. A week ago, talks of Manzanero’s abrupt resignation spread like wildfire amid these very concerns. While government subsequently refuted those claims, a release also stated that that the clause in S.I. 134 would have been reconsidered. When pressed earlier this week on what will happen if the status quo remains, Doctor Manzanero said that he will wait and see. Well this is not the case and today, Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte told the media that the DHS is still mandated by law to surrender that list based on legislation that was signed by his political boss, the Minister of Health.
Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General
“I’ve not been instructed by the [National] Oversight Committee to revise the S.I., so the S.I. remains in place.”
Reporter
“And so that means, technically, is he still or is he in breach of that S.I. at the moment?”
Michael Peyrefitte
Michael Peyrefitte
“Well I wouldn’t to violate anybody’s privacy now would I? Let’s just say yes, he is required to provide those names to me under the law of the S.I.”
Reporter
“Sir, have you made any formal request for him or are you depending on him to adhere to the law and provide these names?”
Michael Peyrefitte
“The law doesn’t require for me to request it, the law says that he shall provide it.”
Marvin Manzanero
Isani Cayetano
“There’s the issue, however, of perhaps an oath that was taken by the DHS or any other practicing medical doctor that involves patient/doctor confidentiality. I know you’ve touched on this before, but it seems to be a sticking point in respect of the position that the DHS has taken.”
Michael Peyrefitte
“There is no sticking point, the S.I. is the S.I. We’re in the middle of a pandemic and the law states very clearly that in a pandemic the Minister of Health has the right to sign S.I.’s for the betterment of the country to tackle the pandemic. Remember, it is his minister who signed the S.I. saying that he should give it to the Minister of National Security.”
