Former CHED exec sues for reinstatement

MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Higher Education officer-in-charge Commissioner Prospero de Vera is facing administrative and criminal charges before the Office of the Ombudsman for failing to reinstate a former CHED official.

Julito Vitriolo filed charges of gross misconduct, oppression, harassment, disrespect of the rule of law, abuse of authority, gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial in the interest of the service against De Vera for failing to reinstate him despite the dismissal of graft cases filed against him before the Sandiganbayan and the Court of Appeals. Both courts ordered his reinstatement.

“The whimsical and arbitrary actions of OIC De Vera, who is aspiring for the chairmanship of the CHED, are tantamount to utter disrespect of the rule of law, good governance and efficient public service,” Vitriolo said.

Vitriolo said De Vera allegedly continues to block his reinstatement as the agency’s executive director.

The Office of the Ombudsman in 2016 dismissed Vitriolo for supposedly failing to investigate an alleged “diploma mill” education program between the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and the National College of Physical Education.