DepEd probing questionable promotion of two principals

CEBU, Philippines – The Department of Education Cebu Province Division is now looking into the case of two school principals whose promotion was found questionable.

DepEd Cebu School Division Superintendent Dr. Arden Monisit told The Freeman that they have discovered the questionable promotion of these two principals in Tabuelan and Ronda when he verified the anonymous texts and letters he received.

 “I have been receiving complaints about promotions that are for sale and can not respond to it so I decided to find out. And initially, we have found and confirmed these two as unqualified for their current position yet they were appointed,” Monisit said.

Venus Bacalla of Tabuelan Elementary School and Lolita Uytico of Ronda Elementary Schools allegedly failed to pass the examination for Principal 1 position.

Bacalla and Uytico, who have been promoted on May 30, 2008, reportedly took the exam last Sunday.

Monisit said that an investigating committee has started counterchecking other appointees who may be found unqualified for the position.

Monisit explained that there is no way the two could be promoted as principals without first passing the qualifying exam as mandated by DepEd Order No. 85 series of 2003.

The order set the exam as an initial guideline on the selection, promotion and designation of school heads.

The committee that Monisit formed found that Bacalla and Uytico were not on the masterlist of principals who passed the qualifying exam and eligible for ranking since 2004.

He said that Bacalla and Uytico should be charged with dishonesty for submitting applications for ranking while they were fully aware that they do not qualify since they have not taken the exam then.

The ranking committee, Monisit said, could also be questioned for dishonesty, or, if it is an honest mistake, it would be considered gross negligence of duty.

Monisit said that the promotion selection board and the head of office should have thoroughly checked if their applicants are correctly promoted.

“Our question also is who attested to the CSC (Civil Service Commission) that these principals are passers of the qualifying exam which leads to other questions like, has the DepEd submitted a masterlist to the CSC or is the CSC recognizing the qualifying exam for principalship?” Monisit said. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/LPM (THE FREEMAN)