Uncertainty at CHED with chief kept out of Cabinet
The Commission on Higher Education building in Quezon City.
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is on "wait and see" mode after President Rodrigo Duterte excluded its chairperson Patricia Licuanan from Cabinet meetings.
CHED Executive Director Julito Vitriolo said the agency needs guidance from Malacañang with regard to the status of Licuanan.
"Well, right now, it's a wait-and-see situation really because we have to get a definitive action also from higher authorities on the situation," Vitriolo said at a press briefing at Malacañan on Thursday.
"I must admit, it's really hard to—and difficult to work in a way because no less than the president has spoken or has acted on this situation," he added.
When asked if CHED employees are demoralized by recent developments, Vitriolo said: "Well, there is, you know, maybe not directly demoralization but I would say, ambivalence in the sense that (we are asking about) the exact situation."
Vitriolo, who has been with CHED for more than three decades, said it was the first time a president asked a head of the commission not to join Cabinet meetings.
"It would be difficult for our chair to function in the sense that she used to be a part of the Cabinet. And now, she cannot become a Cabinet member, it will affect the organization," he added.
Vitriolo could not recall if Licuanan had policy differences with Duterte.
Licuanan was appointed CHED chairperson by Duterte's predecessor, former President Benigno Aquino III.
Last Monday, Licuanan said she was asked to desist from joining Cabinet meetings just like Vice President Leni Robredo, who handles the government's housing programs.
Robredo resigned as housing chief but Licuanan decided to stay in her post.
Malacañang officials claimed that Duterte's directive for Licuanan not to attend Cabinet meetings is in line with a memorandum calling for the resignation of appointees of the previous administration.
The memorandum dated August 22 was meant to give Duterte a free hand in attaining the goals he set for his administration.
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