MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the reinstatement of a dismissed official of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
In a resolution penned by SC Associate Justice Estela Perlas Bernabe, the high tribunal affirmed the Court of Appeals (CA) decision in 2017, which nullified the ombudsman’s dismissal of CHED executive director Julito Vitriolo.
The case stemmed from a 2016 ombudsman’s order, which dismissed Vitriolo for supposedly failing to investigate an alleged diploma mill program between the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and National College of Physical Education.
In 2017, the CA granted Vitriolo’s appeal and ordered his reinstatement.
The appellate court dismissed the charges of gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct and incompetence against Vitriolo for lack of evidence.
The CA only found him liable of violating the Code of Conduct of Public Officials to act promptly on letters and requests.
Instead of dismissal, the CA suspended Vitriolo for 30 days.
He has demanded CHED chairman J. Prospero de Vera III that he reinstated to his post.
“The commission should comply with the high court’s mandate affirming my reinstatement as CHED executive director,” Vitriolo said. – Janvic Mateo