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| Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Patricia Licuanan can no longer be effective as chair, according to CHED Executive Director IV Julito Vitriolo. Senate office/File | By Kristian Javier |
MANILA, Philippines — Top officials of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) sought President Rodrigo Duterte to fill the power vacuum after he barred the agency's chairperson, Patricia Licuanan, from attending Cabinet meetings.
In a letter addressed to the president dated December 8, CHED Executive Director IV Julito Vitriolo citing the Palace's reasons for barring Licuanan. He said she can no longer be effective as chair due to "irreconcilable differences" and "the lost of trust and confidence in her" for not tendering her resignation.
Vitriolo, the highest-ranking career executive in the commission, also said Licuanan's refusal to step down from her post is equivalent to "gross insubordination," describing it as "stubborn" and in disregard to the "time-honored principle of delicadeza."
"This letter (is) humbly requesting guidance on how we, the officials and staff of CHED, shall relate with Dr. Licuanan in view of the foregoing circumstances indicating that she might no longer possesses (sic) the authority to govern the agency," the letter read.
He asked Duterte to designate newly appointed Commissioner Prospero de Vera to act as officer-in-charge while a regular chairperson has not yet been appointed.
De Vera, a University of the Philippines vice president for public affairs, was appointed commissioner of CHED last September.
"There is only one commissioner appointee coming from your administration who is the only one openly and aggressively pursuing your programs in the Commission," Vitriolo said.
The letter came a week after Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. relayed the president's instructions through a text message on December 4 that Licuanan should stop attending meetings at Malacañan.
Licuanan, meanwhile, said that she will continue her work as the chairman.
"I assured Secretary Evasco that I would comply. In the meantime, I will continue my work as Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education," Licuanan said.
President Benigno Aquino III appointed Licuanan to the educational commission twice. She was supposed to serve her second four-year term until 2018.
In a letter addressed to the president dated December 8, CHED Executive Director IV Julito Vitriolo citing the Palace's reasons for barring Licuanan. He said she can no longer be effective as chair due to "irreconcilable differences" and "the lost of trust and confidence in her" for not tendering her resignation.
Vitriolo, the highest-ranking career executive in the commission, also said Licuanan's refusal to step down from her post is equivalent to "gross insubordination," describing it as "stubborn" and in disregard to the "time-honored principle of delicadeza."
"This letter (is) humbly requesting guidance on how we, the officials and staff of CHED, shall relate with Dr. Licuanan in view of the foregoing circumstances indicating that she might no longer possesses (sic) the authority to govern the agency," the letter read.
De Vera, a University of the Philippines vice president for public affairs, was appointed commissioner of CHED last September.
"There is only one commissioner appointee coming from your administration who is the only one openly and aggressively pursuing your programs in the Commission," Vitriolo said.
The letter came a week after Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. relayed the president's instructions through a text message on December 4 that Licuanan should stop attending meetings at Malacañan.
Licuanan, meanwhile, said that she will continue her work as the chairman.
"I assured Secretary Evasco that I would comply. In the meantime, I will continue my work as Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education," Licuanan said.
President Benigno Aquino III appointed Licuanan to the educational commission twice. She was supposed to serve her second four-year term until 2018.
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