CHEd official slapped with 90-day preventive suspension

Aldrin Darilag —COMMISSIONER ALDRIN DARILAG FACEBOOK PAGE

The Office of the President (OP) has ordered the suspension and investigation of an official of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) for alleged grave misconduct, neglect in the performance of duty and oppression.

CHEd Chair Prospero de Vera III said in a statement on Sunday that the OP issued last week a 90-day preventive suspension order against Commissioner Aldrin Darilag.

It also instructed the agency to conduct a fact-finding investigation “to determine the existence of a prima facie (self-evident) case to warrant the issuance of the formal charge” against him.

De Vera said the Office of the President likewise directed them to submit updates on their findings, including the CHEd’s recommendation on the “final disposition” of the case against Darilag.

“CHEd will look into the matter seriously and fairly,” he added. “This preventive suspension is imposed so that Commissioner Darilag cannot use his office and position to influence the investigation and due process can be observed in the process.”

To ensure the continuity of the agency’s programs and projects, De Vera said the 30 state universities and colleges, where Darilag served as chair-designate of the Board of Regents, would be assigned to other commissioners.

He also called on the agency’s other officials and employees to “exercise their duties and power consistent with the principle that public office is a public trust.”

Darilag was appointed by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2019 to the commission, which welcomed him and acknowledged his expertise in research and curriculum development.

CHEd is an attached agency of the Office of the President. Aside from the chair, it has four commissioners, each with a four-year-long term of office.

CHEd official dismissed

Darilag’s suspension came almost a week after the Office of the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal of another CHEd commissioner, Jo Mark Libre, for alleged nepotism and grave misconduct.

The Ombudsman said last week that it had received complaints that Libre appointed his relatives to several positions under his office.

It also cited a complaint against Libre in the Civil Service Commission (CSC), which found him guilty in 2019 of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, fabrication of official documents and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service.

Despite the CSC’s findings, he was appointed by Duterte to the CHEd in 2022, with a three-year term. INQ