CHED Exec Denies Wrongdoing

Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Ronald Adamat has denied any wrongdoing following Malacañang’s decision ordering his dismissal from service.

Adamat on Saturday, June 25, said he would appeal the decision of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea once he receives a copy of the ruling.

In a statement posted on his Facebook account, the CHED official said he would bring to the attention of Medialdea “legal matters which might have been overlooked in resolving the complaint against us.”

“For the record, we are one with the administration in its drive to rid the government of erring officials. They have no place in government and are not fit to deliver public service. We are, however, innocent of the charges hurled by the complainants,” Adamat said.

“In the performance of our official duties, we are always guided by the rule of law and pertinent rules and regulations. For this reason, we are confident that the truth will manifest itself in the resolution of the issues so that our good names will be cleared of all the charges,” he added.

Medialdea earlier found Adamat and three others administratively liable for grave misconduct over an alleged irregularity in the reappointment of the president of Pangasinan State University (PSU) in 2018.

Also ordered dismissed were PSU Board of Regents ex-officio members Nestor Rillon, director of the National Economic and Development Authority Region 1; Armando Ganal, director of the Department of Science and Technology Region 1; and Lucrecio Alviar Jr., retired director of the Department of Agriculture Region 1.

Medialdea’s decision was based on the recommendation of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, which looked into allegations against the PSU BOR in relation to the appoint-ments of several university officials.

Among the complaints was the alleged “improper” reappointment of PSU president Dexter Buted, who was serving a nine-month suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman when the board voted to give him a second term in 2018.

Ganal said he has also not received a copy of the decision, adding that he and his colleagues are in coordination with the Office of the Solicitor General for the appropriate move on the matter.