DAP elects new President, 2 other top leaders

(From left) New DAP President Engelbert Caronan Jr., CSC Chair and now-DAP Board Chair Alicia Bala and ODESGA OIC and DAP Board Vice Chair Mc Jill Bryant Fernandez pose with DAP OIC Magdalena Mendoza (extreme right) after the recent election and meeting of the Board of Trustees. PHOTO by Ped Garcia

The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) on Tuesday announced the election of lawyer Engelbert “Jojo” Caronan Jr. as its ninth president.

Caronan’s election came half a year after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered former DAP President Elba Cruz to vacate her post in December 2017 following reports of alleged frequent travels and protests from the employees union.

The 45-year-old Caronan was appointed by the President as a member of the DAP board of trustees in April 2018. He served as mayor of Tuguegarao City from 2014 to 2015.

Meanwhile, Civil Service Commission (CSC) chair Alicia de la Rosa-Bala was elected as DAP board chair while Office of the President’s Deputy Executive Secretary for General Administration Mc Jill Bryant Fernandez was elected vice chair.

In December 2017, DAP employees urged the President to replace Cruz, citing alleged mismanagement of the organization and frequent foreign travels.

READ: Workers want DAP chief dismissed for jetsetting ways

The DAP Personnel Association (Dapper) also accused Cruz of “gross violation of civil service rules and regulations,” designation of employees with questionable background and civil standards, displacement of plantilla-based personnel, procedural and administrative lapses, unclear leadership directions, and various complaints from demoralized employees.

The election of three new top leaders of the DAP was announced right after its 45th anniversary celebration. /ee