Biliran state school head charged with graft

TACLOBAN CITY—The president of Naval State University (NSU) in Biliran is facing a graft complaint at the Ombudsman-Visayas for alleged irregularities.

Edita Genson was accused by former instructor Jerome Arcenal of purchasing a simulator machine worth P21 million without public bidding and of appointing nine instructors who didn’t have master’s degrees.

In his two-page complaint, Arcenal also claimed that Genson compelled students to buy school uniforms from the university and used university funds to pay university workers for the construction of her house in Barangay Larrazabal in the capital town of Naval, Biliran.

He said as a member of the NSU board of regents for more than a decade, he had personal knowledge and could present proof of “irregularities and corrupt practices” of Genson.

Arcenal sat on the university’s board of regents as representative of Sen. Edgardo Angara in 2010 and served as part-time instructor from 2006 until he was terminated in July this year.

When reached for comment, Genson brushed off the complaint, saying it was meant to “malign” her reputation. Genson is among the nominees from Eastern Visayas in the search of outstanding public servant by the Civil Service Commission.

She said she had fired Arcenal due to his “unruly behavior” after he instigated a rally for her ouster.

“This complaint filed against me is nothing but harassment with an intent to malign me,” Genson said.

Genson said the procurement law allowed purchase of equipment through direct contract if the equipment was exclusive to a manufacturer and if offered at a lower price.

She said the instructors she appointed were qualified.

While Genson admitted she had hired some university workers for the construction and improvement of her house, they were paid out of personal funds.