By Ann Lea Santiago and Ma. Monica Licaros
Challenge accepted, may the best man win.
The decision of the Board of Regents to switch two of Bulacan State University’s Vice-Presidents after a board meeting at the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) office last June 30 filled the four corners of the Administration building with controversy.
Former Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) Dr. Danilo Hilario and the then Vice President for Research, Planning and Extension (VPRPE) Dr. Antonio del Rosario shifted positions with one another after the board unanimously decided to do so.
BulSU President Mariano de Jesus then cleared that the two positions are only designations and could be changed since Hilario and Del Rosario are only acting VPs.
“They [Hilario and Del Rosario] will be under observation until March 30, if fit na fit sila, then the designation would be permanent as instructed by the Commissioner on Higher Education,” De Jesus explained.
The due process
“Actually, hindi shuffling [of Vice Presidents] kasi kami lang [ni VP del Rosario] ang pinagpalit e,” Hilario clarified. “There's no such thing as demotion. There is demotion when there is diminution in rank and lowering of salary. You're in the same rank having the same salary enjoying the same perks and privileges, the same designation as Vice-president.”
Hilario has been reappointed back to being the VPRPE, which he held for the last five years. He was initially selected early this February as the VPAA, but his five-month administration ended last June 30.
De Jesus said that Hilario’s expertise and traits fitted for the position, since he was once the VP of the said office. However, Hilario has a different version of what really happened. According to him, a text message reached CHED Commissioner Nona Ricafort stating that he allegedly raised his voice to someone.
“I may be passionate in what I am doing, but it’s not my style to make sigaw or bulyaw. There was an exaggeration,” Hilario defended.
Furthermore, the new VPAA expressed his suspicions that the unknown complainant prompted CHED to do actions regarding the issue through the prexy.
Too, Hilario questioned the legality of the process since he was not given a chance to speak for himself and clear his name.
“The Board of Regents is fair and is the highest policy-making body. So who am I to run after the designation? It’s not a position, it’s a designation,” said Hilario. “[But] If you'll ask me what is fair and what is not, I can think it's not fair but probably the community would say it's just fair.“
Moreover, Hilario opined, “It is devoid of elementary due process for excess that it heals before it condemns. If their pointing powers do not like me, I cannot even insist that I stay longer. But what is sad about these stories, the highest decision-makers decided on my fate without giving me any chance.”
On the other hand, Pacesetter tried to get De Jesus’ side but he refused to give comments on the said issue.
Plans and visions
After being designated through the instruction of Commissioner Ricafort as the new VPAA, Del Rosario still has no concrete plans for his post yet but emphasized his strong will to be the president’s good soldier.
“Of course, to support the programs and projects of the president,” assured Del Rosario referring to his primary vision as VPAA.
According to him, his guiding philosophy as new VPAA is to make the university more student-friendly.
Despite having no plans, he explained that he must see the current situation first, and then see what to improve, and from there, start planning. On the other hand, Del Rosario refused to comment on the issue about the position switch.
“I don’t like to comment on that. I was just designated here, equal kami [ni VP Hilario] rito though we have different duties and responsibilities. We are good soldiers and there is no conflict between us,” stated Del Rosario.
Being a perfectionist when it comes to his work and dedication, Del Rosario stated jokingly, “Huwag ‘yong p’wede na, dapat p’wedeng p’wede.”
Challenge accepted, may the best man win.
The decision of the Board of Regents to switch two of Bulacan State University’s Vice-Presidents after a board meeting at the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) office last June 30 filled the four corners of the Administration building with controversy.
Former Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) Dr. Danilo Hilario and the then Vice President for Research, Planning and Extension (VPRPE) Dr. Antonio del Rosario shifted positions with one another after the board unanimously decided to do so.
BulSU President Mariano de Jesus then cleared that the two positions are only designations and could be changed since Hilario and Del Rosario are only acting VPs.
“They [Hilario and Del Rosario] will be under observation until March 30, if fit na fit sila, then the designation would be permanent as instructed by the Commissioner on Higher Education,” De Jesus explained.
The due process
“Actually, hindi shuffling [of Vice Presidents] kasi kami lang [ni VP del Rosario] ang pinagpalit e,” Hilario clarified. “There's no such thing as demotion. There is demotion when there is diminution in rank and lowering of salary. You're in the same rank having the same salary enjoying the same perks and privileges, the same designation as Vice-president.”
Hilario has been reappointed back to being the VPRPE, which he held for the last five years. He was initially selected early this February as the VPAA, but his five-month administration ended last June 30.
De Jesus said that Hilario’s expertise and traits fitted for the position, since he was once the VP of the said office. However, Hilario has a different version of what really happened. According to him, a text message reached CHED Commissioner Nona Ricafort stating that he allegedly raised his voice to someone.
“I may be passionate in what I am doing, but it’s not my style to make sigaw or bulyaw. There was an exaggeration,” Hilario defended.
Furthermore, the new VPAA expressed his suspicions that the unknown complainant prompted CHED to do actions regarding the issue through the prexy.
Too, Hilario questioned the legality of the process since he was not given a chance to speak for himself and clear his name.
“The Board of Regents is fair and is the highest policy-making body. So who am I to run after the designation? It’s not a position, it’s a designation,” said Hilario. “[But] If you'll ask me what is fair and what is not, I can think it's not fair but probably the community would say it's just fair.“
Moreover, Hilario opined, “It is devoid of elementary due process for excess that it heals before it condemns. If their pointing powers do not like me, I cannot even insist that I stay longer. But what is sad about these stories, the highest decision-makers decided on my fate without giving me any chance.”
On the other hand, Pacesetter tried to get De Jesus’ side but he refused to give comments on the said issue.
Plans and visions
After being designated through the instruction of Commissioner Ricafort as the new VPAA, Del Rosario still has no concrete plans for his post yet but emphasized his strong will to be the president’s good soldier.
“Of course, to support the programs and projects of the president,” assured Del Rosario referring to his primary vision as VPAA.
According to him, his guiding philosophy as new VPAA is to make the university more student-friendly.
Despite having no plans, he explained that he must see the current situation first, and then see what to improve, and from there, start planning. On the other hand, Del Rosario refused to comment on the issue about the position switch.
“I don’t like to comment on that. I was just designated here, equal kami [ni VP Hilario] rito though we have different duties and responsibilities. We are good soldiers and there is no conflict between us,” stated Del Rosario.
Being a perfectionist when it comes to his work and dedication, Del Rosario stated jokingly, “Huwag ‘yong p’wede na, dapat p’wedeng p’wede.”