Benguet school exec denies fund misuse, mismanagement

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Philippines – The president of the state-run Benguet State University has denied allegations of fund diversion and violation of the school promotion rules hurled against him.

Ben Ladilad said it was his decision to retire on Dec. 5, contrary to earlier reports that he was ordered to step down from the post by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Earlier, the CHEd said Ladilad failed in the evaluation conducted by the commission. He was said to have received a rating of 3.5. He needs a rating of five to hold on to the post.

Ladilad said the evaluation is not under the jurisdiction of CHEd, but that of the university’s board of regents, which is composed of the directors of the Department of Science and Technology, National Economic Development Authority, Department of Agriculture and CHEd, among others.

He said the board of regents decided not to renew his appointment as a four-year term is required and he is turning 65 next month.

Ladilad said he refused an offer to teach at the university, noting that it is time for him to attend to his family.

He said the fund misuse and mismanagement issues hurled against him were baseless.

He said the P50-million school fund was not diverted but was reverted back to the national treasury.

“Otherwise, audit reports could have pointed it out,” he said