Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said they will comply with the Ombudsman decision to dismiss Executive Director Julito Vitriolo.
“We have already directed our Human Resource Development Division to ensure that the Ombudsman’s order is strictly enforced and properly implemented, noting that, consistent with the law, rules, and jurisprudence on the matter, such an Order is immediately executory and ought to be implemented upon receipt,” CHED Chairperson Patricia Licuanan said in a statement.
The decision, Licuanan affirms, will not affect the operations of the commission.
The executive director said early Friday he will appeal the Ombudsman decision which found him guilty of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, incompetence and inefficiency.
Vitriolo said on Friday he would appeal the Ombudsman decision to dismiss him for grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, incompetence and inefficiency.
“I believe there were considerations that were not taken into account. The decision is not yet final and we will definitely appeal said decision. I firmly believe that upon proper review of the findings the record will be set straight,” Vitriolo said in a text message to CNN Philippines.
Aside from ethical standards for public officials law, the Ombudsman said Vitriolo also violated the anti-graft law.
According to the Ombudsman’s statement, Vitriolo honored a terminated Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) and the National College of Physical Education (NCPE), believing it was “based on vested rights.”
In 1996, PLM agreed to make its facilities available to NCPE without compensation, provided the university would choose faculty members who would be involved in the program, and would issue diplomas to the graduates.
Twelve years after, the agreement was suspended by then PLM president Adel Tamano, saying “the agreement was prejudicial to the interest of the university.”
In 2010, Vitriolo insisted the transcript of records be issued to the graduates of the program under the suspended MOA.
In addition, Vitriolo also failed to answer requests for information on the said issue.
