CHEd Chief Licuanan Ordered By Palace To Submit Courtesy Resignation
Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) chairperson Patricia Licuanan was reminded by Malacañang to submit her courtesy resignation.
On Tuesday (December 06, 2016), Malacañang Palace reminded all the appointees of former President Benigno Aquino III to submit their courtesy resignation including Patricia Licuanan, CHEd chairperson.
“On Aug. 22, a letter, a memorandum, a circular was given. It was asking for the courtesy resignations of presidential appointees. But when I checked with the Office of the Executive Secretary, apparently there was no letter submitted from the [CHEd chair],” said by Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella quoted by Inquirer.
The CHEd chairperson received a text message prohibiting her from attending all Cabinet meetings same to the instruction received by Vice President Leni Robredo from Cabinet Secretary Jun Evasco Jr. that was instructed by President Rodrigo Duterte.
The instruction was received by Licuanan on Sunday (December 04, 2016). The president’s decision was made due to their “irreconcilable differences.” Licuanan was willing to comply the order of the president but she would continue to perform her duty as the head of the commission.
Licuanan will continue her work as head of the commission until the end of her term on 2018. The presidential spokesperson insisted that a courtesy resignation from previous administration appointees are required.
The Palace official explained that President Duterte implies being a gentleman that’s why he did not quickly issue an order for Licuanan. Ernesto Abella also explained that the commission would not be affected due to the absence of Licuanan during Cabinet meetings.
Licuanan was appointed by former President Aquino and not by Duterte. Duterte’s professor Jose David Lapuz said that the president is considering to replace the CHEd chairperson with someone who is capable of leading the commission.
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