Palace to abide by ruling on Vitriolo’s reinstatement

Ched Executive Director Julito Vitriolo. PHOTO FROM CHED.GOV.PH

Malacañang on Friday said it would abide by the decision of the Court of Appeals (CA) on the reinstatement of dismissed Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) executive director Julito Vitriolo.

The Ombudsman ordered Vitriolo dismissed in January for failing to investigate the “diploma mill” allegations against Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Manila.

“The Office of the President and the Commission on Higher Education will – of course – respect and abide by the decision and order of the Court of Appeals,” presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

In an August 17 decision, the 12th Division of the CA dismissed the charges of gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct, incompetence and inefficiency against Vitriolo.

The appellate court has ordered Vitriolo reinstated, citing his offense did not justify his dismissal.

ChED earlier said it was waiting for President Rodrigo Duterte’s order on what to do with the two officials holding the position after Vitriolo was reinstated.

CHEd Chair Patricia Licuanan said the agency had not received any directive from the Office of the President or an official copy of the CA ruling.

But Vitriolo told the Inquirer that the President need not take any action because the CA’s order “is not subject to discussion.”

He said he had “effectively replaced” Karol Mark Yee, who was appointed to the post.