Ombudsman suspends CHED’s Vitriolo for misconduct

Former CHED Executive Director Julito Vitriolo. (Screengrab from PTV, PNA video)

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered a three-month suspension of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) executive director Julito Vitriolo after finding him guilty of simple misconduct.

The suspension order stemmed from a complaint filed by former CHED chairperson Patricia Licuanan.

Licuanan alleged in her complaint that Vitriolo issued a memorandum recommending to CHED Regional Office the issuance of a provisional permit in favor of one private school in contravention of Commission en Banc Resolution, which disapproved said school’s application.

According to the order signed by Ombudsman Samuel Martires on October 4 but was released to the media on Tuesday, Vitriolo “issued the Memorandum without due regard to the policies and guidelines of CHED.”

The decision said Vitriolo “is hereby found guilty of Simple Misconduct and is meted the penalty of suspension from the service for three months without pay.”

Vitriolo was previously dismissed by the Ombudsman after he was found guilty of grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty in a complaint filed by a former faculty member of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM).

READ: CHEd exec Vitriolo dismissed from service over diploma mill case

But last September, a Supreme Court ruling affirmed the Court of Appeals’ decision to reinstate Vitriolo to his post as CHED executive director. /jpv

READ: SC ruling affirming reinstatement of CHED exec Vitriolo ‘final, executory’

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