THE Office of the President has ordered the suspension of an official of the Commission on Higher Education for alleged grave misconduct, neglect of duty, and abuse of authority.
In a statement on Sunday, CHED Chairperson J. Prospero De Vera III said OP issued a 90-day preventive suspension order against Commissioner Aldrin Darilag last week.
It directed the panel to begin a fact-finding investigation to determine whether charges should be filed against Darilag.
De Vera added that OP also instructed the agency to submit updates the findings, including the commission’s recommendation on the “final disposition” of the case against Darilag.
“CHED will look into the matter seriously and fairly,” he said. “This preventive suspension is imposed so that Commissioner Darilag cannot use his office and position to influence the investigation and due process can be observed in the process.”
Meanwhile, the 30 state universities and colleges where Darilag serves as chair-designate of the Board of Regents will be entrusted to other commissioners “to ensure the continuity of higher education programs and projects.”
De Vera urged other officials and employees of the agency to “exercise their duties and power consistent with the principle that public office is a public trust.”
President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Darilag to the commission in 2019, where he was welcomed and commended for his competence in research and curriculum development.
CHED official dismissed
Darilag’s suspension came a week after the Office of the Ombudsman ordered the agency to dismiss another CHED commissioner, Jo Mark Libre, for alleged grave misconduct and nepotism.
Libre’s dismissal was due to concerns about his alleged proposal of appointments for relatives to work under his “immediate supervision.”
Libre had been found guilty in 2019 by the Civil Service Commission of Davao region of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, fabrication of official documents, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service.
The CSC said he had already been penalized and dismissed from service. However, Duterte still appointed Libre in 2020 as CHED commissioner until 2025 because his appeal to reverse the CSC decision was still pending.
