MSU head says appointment legal

The highest ranking official of one of Mindanao’s most prestigious learning institutions maintained the legality of his appointment, saying it was made a day before the ban on appointments during the election period took effect.

In a petition to dismiss a suit questioning his appointment, Mindanao State University (MSU) president Dr. Habib Macaayong said his appointment by President Aquino as head of MSU, one of Mindanao’s most recognized learning institutions, is valid and had been completed on March 8, a day before the ban on appointments.

Macaayong, in his petition, sought the dismissal for lack of merit of a suit filed by Said M. Makil, MSU assistant professor, questioning Macaayong’s appointment and claiming it was a violation of the Constitution which bans appointments in any government office two months before the next presidential elections.

In his petition, Macaayong said the process for his appointment as MSU president was completed on March 8. He said he received his appointment, took his oath of office and his appointment papers were sent to the Commission on Higher Education by the Office of the Executive Secretary on March 8.