Educators slam CHED chief’s ouster

Hundreds of educators, including Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) president Jose Ramon Villarin, have expressed support for former Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chair Patricia Licuanan following her forced resignation last week.

More than 250 educators, school administrators and representatives from civil society organizations have signed the statement denouncing what they described as a smear campaign that led to Licuanan’s resignation.

“We denounce the lack of respect that Malacañang has shown for the fixed terms of the heads of independent government institutions and the pressure that ultimately forced Dr. Licuanan’s resignation last Jan. 15,” the statement read.

“These actions reek of abuse of political power and further weakens the fabric of our democratic institutions,” it added.

Signatories in the statement include educators from ADMU, Miriam College, De La Salle University, Univer- sity of the Philippines and Visayas State University.

Last week, Licuanan announced her decision to step down from her post following a phone call from Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

The call from Malacañang for her to resign followed weeks of criticisms on various fronts, including issues on her foreign travels, health and implementation of various programs in the commission.

“Although I vehemently deny the accusations against me, it is time to resign as my continued presence in CHED is inimical to the interest of the institution,” Licuanan said.

“It will only serve as lightning rod to attract more controversy that is distracting the agency from vigorously pursuing urgent reforms that will redound to the benefit of future generations of Filipinos,” she added.

Educators lauded the achievements made by Licuanan during her seven-year term, including the passage of the free higher education law and efforts to make CHED more transparent to stakeholders.

“During her term, CHED also strengthened the outcomes-based approach to higher education, improved the system classification of tertiary education institutions and helped develop the Philippine Qualifications Framework to make Filipino graduates globally competitive,” they said.

“She also led the Commission in enabling research collaborations between universities, campaigned for the increase in budgets of state universities and colleges and strengthened business-academe linkages,” they added.

Educators also called on stakeholders in the tertiary education sector to denounce moves to diminish CHED’s institutional independence.

“We also call on the CHED staff and officials to preserve the gains made in recent years in expanding access, enhancing capacity, developing and fostering excellence and enshrining ethical and innovative governance,” they said.