13 March 2024
I read in several news reports that suspended CHED Commissioner Aldrin Darilag has filed a case of graft and corruption, grave abuse of authority, harassment and oppression against me in the Ombudsman, alleging that I favored a supplier in the procurement of goods and services and I instructed him to make the supplier win government contracts.
He also accuses me of preventing his staff from doing any work and subjecting them to needless inspection of their clothes or belongings.
I do not know the specifics of the complaint so it is difficult for me to respond in detail to his allegations.
But I would like to categorically state that I am not part of any Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) in CHED or in any state university and college and I am not in a position to manipulate procurement activities.
Any complaints of violation of bidding procedures must therefore be addressed to, and resolved by the CHED commission en banc or the Board of Regents of individual SUCs.
In connection with his preventive suspension, I would like to state that the 90-day suspension order was issued by the Executive Secretary. CHED served the said suspension order to Darilag, per the directive of the Office of the President (OP).
The OP also instructed CHED to form a fact finding committee. The Fact Finding Committee is currently looking into the allegations raised against Darilag. The Committee will report their findings to CHED, who will thereafter submit such reports to the Executive Secretary.
The staff in his office are not prohibited to go to work in CHED. I have not issued any memorandum regarding his staff.
(SIGNED)
J. PROSPERO E. DE VERA III, DPA
Chairman
Commission on Higher Education