Medals too late for graduation

Of the 1,100 public elementary and high schools in Cebu province, half have already finished their graduation rites, a school official said.

If the aim was to reward graduating students with the medals, the gesture has come too late.

Dr. Arden Monisit, schools division superintendent for Cebu province, said he wasn’t aware of the controversal medals engraved with the face and name of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

“If there are any medals to be distributed, they should only state what that is all about. For example, ‘Academic Excellence,’ Monisit said.

He said engraving the face of an individual on them was prohibited.

“Definitely, medals which are supposed to be distributed for this month’s commencement exercises should have passed the DepEd. You can’t directly distribute medals to graduates. There should be a search being conducted months before the graduation rites,” Monisit told Cebu Daily News.

Asked what if parties seek DepEd permission to distribute the medals for student awardees, Monisit said “I don’t think we could still allow them. It’s too late.”

He said he would wait for a field report or complaint to be filed because conducting an investigation.

DepEd Regional Director Carmelita Dulangon of Central Visayas said that with an election ahead, she has discouraged schools from distributing medals given by politicians who want to honor some of their students.

“There is no law that prohibits the distribution of medals given by politicians or any candidate. But it’s a different thing when we talk about propriety. Since we have an election this year, I urged school officials to avoid getting entangled with politics so there won’t be any misinterpretations later on,” Dulangon told Cebu Daily News.

She advised school officials and parents’ organizations to find other benefactors.

“We should be careful. If possible, they should avoid solicitations for medals from politicians or candidates so the school won’t be accused of being subjective in favor of someone or a political party,” she said.

Dulangon said DepEd in the past allowed the distribution of medals from the Office of the President, the Senate President and some local officials like mayors but none of them had the face of the sponsor on them.

“Even the medal for the presidential awardee didn’t have any face of a human being on it. Only the seal of the office was placed,” she said.

During graduation rites, school officials formally recognize the sponsors of the medals by announcing their names during the ceremony, she said.

“But now, it’s different because it’s election time,” she said.

She refused to comment on the medals that carry Governor Garcia’s name and face.

“I can’t comment on something I haven’t seen yet,” Dulangon said.

Comelec 7 Regional Director Temie Lambino said the issue of legality and the conduct of a candidate will be relevant on March 30 yet.

“There’s no problem now. But once the election period for (local and congressional) candidates start on March 30, then that’s another story,” he told Cebu Daily News.

Lambino withheld comment to avoid preempting any investigation that may be conducted by the Comelec in the future.

“I can’t say anything because there might be a complaint that will before our office later on,” he said./Ador Vincent Mayol Reporter