National Library Director to answer allegations in ‘proper venue’

MANILA, Philippines— The national library director, being questioned for his appointment, on Thursday said he would answer the allegations against him in a proper venue.

Sought for a comment regarding his controversial appointment, Director IV of the National Library of the Philippines Ceasar Gilbert Adriano said he has not yet received an official communication from the office of the Ombudsman so he cannot comment yet.

“I will answer everything in the proper venue,” Adriano told Philstar.com. 

Adriano’s appointment was questioned by licensed and registered librarian Vernon Totanes before the Ombudsman. He asked the anti-graft office to probe the questionable appointment of Adriano to the highest post of the National Library of the Philippines.

Totanes, who is also the director of Ateneo de Manila University’s Rizal Library, said President Rodrigo Duterte violated Republic Act 9246, or The Philippine Librarianship Act of 2003, through Adriano's appointment since he is not a licensed librarian.

The complainant said the law stated that "only qualified and licensed librarians shall be employed as librarians in all government libraries."

Duterte appointed Adriano on March 17, 2017 and he was sworn into office a month later.

According to the notice of vacancy for item NL-NCCAC-DIR4-1-1998 posted by the Civil Service Commission in February 2016, a Director IV of the National Library of the Philippines  must have a master's degree and should be a licensed librarian. 

The post also requires candidates to the post to be Career Service Executive eligible and have at least five years of supervisory experience.

A cursory check with the Professional Regulation Commission showed that Adriano is not a registered librarian. His name was also not indicated on the list of the Validated Career Service Executive Eligibles nor on the Masterlist of CESOs and CES Eligible posted by the Career Executive Service Board.

The master list was last updated on December 2017.

The notice of vacancy mentioned that Director IV is under Salary Grade 28 with an annual salary of P812,208. ?

Last week, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the Malacañang will look into the appointment of Adriano to the National Library of the Philippines. He added that there  remedies for it, including quo warranto.

READ: Palace to 'look into' National Library's non-librarian director

The quo warranto petition is a legal procedure that the solicitor general or public prosecutor can initiate against a "person who usurps, intrudes into, or unlawfully holds or exercises a public office, position or franchise." The accused would then be allowed to prove his right to hold office in the post claimed.

Totanes, however said the petition is not applicable with his complaint since he is not interested in replacing Adriano to the post.

Hindi po kailangan ng quo warranto. (Wala naman po akong interes sa puwesto.) Ano po ba ang susunod na hakbang ng Malakanyang? May iba pong naghihintay ng kalalabasan nito. Di lamang sa mga librarian kundi pati sa ibang mga professionals.

— Von Totanes (@vonjobi) January 30, 2018

Early this week, reports said Roque is leaving the probe on Adriano’s appointment with the Ombudsman.