Lapus suspends Silay schools division head PO FACING CHARGES FOR GRAVE OFFENSES

Lapus suspends

Silay schools division head

PO FACING CHARGES FOR GRAVE OFFENSES

BY CARLA GOMEZ

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus has preventively suspended Silay Schools Division superintendent, Dr. Fernando Po, for 90 days without pay for several grave offense charges that are punishable with dismissal.

Lapus, in the formal charge and order of preventive suspension dated May 13 and received Friday, ordered Po to submit his reply within five days from receipt of the order.

Po was also required to state categorically whether he wishes to undergo a formal investigation in the event that his answer is not considered satisfactory, Lapus said.

He was also advised of his right to be assisted and represented by counsel of his choice at any stage of the formal investigation.

OIC Education Regional Director Mildred Garay said Dr. Milagros Gonzales, Bacolod Schools Division superintendent, has been appointed by Lapus as OIC Silay Schools Division superintendent in concurrent capacity with her position as head of the Bacolod Schools Division.

Po is only on preventive position, he will be given due process, whether he can return will depend on the outcome of the investigation, Garay said.

Garay also said Lapus ordered the suspension of Po after the DepEd head office had sent a fact-finding team to Silay to look into complaints against him.

Silay Mayor Jose Montelibano said there have been numerous complaints against Po and it is about time DepEd acted on the matter.

Silay does not deserve him, Montelibano said.

The DAILY STAR could not reach Po for comment yesterday.

In the order of preventive suspension, Lapus said he was acting on a complaint indicting Po for various administrative offenses.

After a thorough and careful examination of the complaint and its attachment, and the verified affidavits and oral testimonies of several witnesses, Lapus in his order said the DepEd found there is a prima facie case against Po on the following charges:

*Grave misconduct for soliciting or accepting directly or indirectly any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value in the course of his official duties, and conduct prejudicial  to the best interest of the service on the charge of receiving money – albeit indirectly – from a teacher applicant  who gave the same on account of her appointment;

*Grave misconduct, grossly immoral conduct, sexual harassment and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service  on account of his solicitation of sexual favors from male teacher-applicants in consideration of hiring or promotion;

*Simple neglect of duty an refusal to perform official duty on account  of Po’s  repeated failure and refusal to attend Local School Board meetings  of which he is co-chairman hampering its functions;

*Gross misconduct and gross discourtesy in the course of official duties on account of his repeated public reprimand, castigation and humiliation of teachers that is totally unbecoming of a public official of his office and stature;

*Grave misconduct, violation of existing Civil Service Law and regulations of serious nature and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service on account of his unexplained act of promoting teachers  who are apparently undeserving of promotion;

*Grave misconduct and unfair discrimination in rendering public service for the unfair treatment and unjust discrimination of Reajean Acse, a member of the indigenous Bukidnon tribe whose rights and preferences are recognized and given priority under Republic Act 8371 or the Indigenous People’s Rights Act of 1997; and

*Pursuit of private business, vocation or profession without permission required by civil service rules and regulations on account of his selling merchandize at his office.*CPG

* Adapted from Visayan Daily Star, June 2, 2009

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