By Elami Go
MANILA — Concerned employees of Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) have appealed to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to re-evaluate the qualifications of candidates seeking the university presidency, citing alleged lapses in documentary compliance and questions surrounding administrative credentials.
In an open letter addressed to CHED Commissioner Shirley C. Agrupis dated April 20, the employees urged the agency to strictly enforce the qualifications and documentary requirements imposed by the university’s search committee.
The letter raised concerns involving presidential aspirants Ramil S. Catamora, Armando Alviola, and Lorelie F. Tangaran.
Strongest professional background
Among the three, however, Alviola was viewed by some employees as emerging with the strongest professional and administrative background despite questions surrounding the timeliness of his submitted National Bureau of Investigation clearance.
The letter noted that both Catamora and Alviola allegedly submitted NBI clearances that were issued beyond the three-month validity period required under the search guidelines.
Employees argued that documentary requirements must be applied equally to all candidates to maintain fairness and integrity in the selection process.
Catamora, meanwhile, also faces a separate issue involving a pending complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman filed by Benjamin L. Pecayo, former NwSSU president.
While the complaint was reportedly filed after the issuance of his Ombudsman clearance, the employees said the existence of an unresolved case remains a “material fact” that should be considered in evaluating his fitness for public office.
Under scrutiny
Tangaran’s qualifications also came under scrutiny after employees questioned whether her previous positions as planning director and research director could be fully credited as administrative experience.
The complainants cited Department of Budget and Management standards stating that supervisory positions must involve direct oversight of at least three plantilla personnel.
According to the employees, excluding those positions from consideration could leave Tangaran short of the five-year administrative experience required for the university presidency.
The letter likewise criticized the search committee for allegedly releasing the official shortlist of candidates only at the same time the public forum was announced, limiting stakeholders’ ability to thoroughly examine the applicants’ qualifications.
Despite the concerns raised against multiple candidates, some employees said Alviola’s extensive administrative and leadership experience still places him in a comparatively stronger position in the ongoing selection process.
The employees urged CHED to undertake an immediate and impartial review of all candidates’ qualifications to ensure that only those who fully comply with the prescribed standards will be considered for the post.
They also warned that unresolved issues surrounding the search process could lead to administrative complaints against members of the search committee before the Office of the Ombudsman.
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