Manifesto of Support of CHED Officials
The Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) officials and employees wrote this manifesto of support to the President for his action and vision in ushering genuine change on 12 December 2016. The document was signing was led by CHEd Executive Director Julito Vitriolo among other signatories: Directors Lily Freida Macabangun-Milla and Romulo Malvar and Legal and Legislative Service chief Septon dela Cruz.
The following is the letter of the Commission on Higher Education officials and employees to the President.
HIS EXCELLENCY RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE
PRESIDENT
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
MALACAÑAN PALACE
RE: MANIFESTO OF SUPPORT TO HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE (PRRD) FOR HIS ACTION AND VISION IN USHERING GENUINE CHANGE IN THE LEADERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED)
WE, the undersigned officials and employees of the Commission on Higher Education, in the light of recent events and declarations of The Chief Executive—HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT DUTERTE, in relation to the Commission on Higher Education, hereby fully manifest and pledge our wholehearted support for his desire and efforts to usher in GENUINE AND MEANINGFUL change in the Commission by instituting his brand of leadership and action-oriented, pro-people and pro-development perspectives;
WE, AFFIRM that as the duly elected President of the Republic with an overwhelming majority, President Duterte carries the strong mandate to bring meaningful change in the country in general, as well as in CHED in particular;
WE, RECOGNIZE that with this great mandate and yet challenging job of the Presidency, the President deserves the support and cooperation of all sectors of society to REFORM, CHANGE and bring in the fruits of development to the people, the CHED included;
WE, BELIEVE that PRESIDENT DUTERTE’S actions leading to a change in the leadership of the Commission on Higher Education is well within his prerogative as the Chief Executive of all Executive Departments in the government of the Republic of the Philippines, pursuant to His constitutional power of control, appointment and removal. And that as part of this power, the President has the prerogative to choose freely the members of His official family—the CABINET.
WE, SUBMIT that Cabinet members are his ALTER EGOs, chosen on the basis of trust and confidence, and clearly they serve at HIS pleasure, and thus, maybe replaced anytime with or without cause;
WE, AFFIRM further that the CHED, is an important agency of the government in charge of the higher education sector and crucial in the development of human resource needed by the country for greater development, and thus, should be continuously represented in the CABINET by a head who enjoys the trust and confidence of the President, and who shares His principles, values, style of leadership, and perspective;
WHEREFORE, in order for the Commission on Higher Education to continue functioning properly in support of the thrusts, programs, principles, and values of the President of the Republic, WE, HUMBLY PRAY AND REQUEST You, Mr. President, to now designate or appoint a Chairperson of the Commission of your own choice as your ALTER EGO to represent the CHED in the Cabinet so that CHED will again be in the mainstream as are the other education agencies; and to appoint the other three (3) Commissioners who will now join and support your designated OIC or appointed Chairperson in the formulation and implementation of your programs of development for the higher education sector and for the greater benefit of the Filipino youth pursuant to the overall VISION OF CHANGE and the 10-POINT AGENDA of the DUTERTE ADMINISTRATION.
WE SEEK your urgent intercession, MR. PRESIDENT, in order to prevent the DEMORALIZATION among the ranks of the men and women of the Commission; arrest the further erosion and denigration of the reputation of the office; preserve the dignity of its officials and staff; and protect its operations to effectively serve its stakeholders.
CHANGE IS COMING… CHANGE IS NOW!
Thank you very much, Mr President.
December 12, 2016. Philippines. ●