Palace awaits formal complaint before probing CHED chair's alleged 'travel binge'
Published Jan 8, 2018 03:39 pm
By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
Malacañang may look into the allegations that Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Dr. Patricia Licuanan made "unapproved" official foreign travels last 2017.
Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta Party-list Representative Jericho Nograles wrote on his Facebook page Friday that Licuanan may have "usurp the power" of President Duterte by "approving her own travel authority."
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, during Palace's Monday press briefing, gave Licuanan the benefit of the doubt but said a formal complaint would help to clear the matter.
CHED chairperson Patricia Licuanan (Manila Bulletin file photo)
He added that he is unsure whether Nograles made a formal complaint against Licuanan before the Presidential Management Staff (PMS).
"She said so , but I don't know as of now if there's a formal complaint against CHED Chair Licuanan and if it's been received by PMS," Roque said.
"Unlike other cases, there were actual complaints received by the PMS. I'm not sure there is such a complaint but what I know is that Congressman Nograles has spoken already about this," he added.
Roque, however, reiterated that the President would investigate Nograles's allegations once an official complaint has been made.
"Needles to say, the President always looks and investigates all reports. It would help if it's formally filed," he said.
Licuanan, in a statement, defended her foreign trips, saying she secured travel authority from the Office of the President for all her travels including personal trips.
"This is well documented… I issue travel authorities for all CHED officials but not for myself," Licuanan said.
"It appears that what Rep. Nograles shared on his Facebook account as basis for his accusations is the internal Authority to Travel Abroad, which is routinely used to process the funds and is an attachment for securing Malacañang approval," she added.
Meanwhile, three presidential appointees are reportedly being investigated by Malacañang for alleged wrongdoings.
Roque, in a television interview early in the day, said three complaints have been received by the Office of the President. "The President always acts on complaints," he said.
Around 30 suspected erring policemen, including four colonels, are also at risk of getting fired, Roque said in line with the President's anti-corruption campaign.
Last year, President Duterte has emphasized his disapproval for excessive and unnecessary foreign trips, citing that this is wasting taxpayers' money and it slows down the function of the government.
"Mag-starvation diet muna tayo diyan (Let's go on a starvation diet for now). Every time you go out you spend per diems and then hotels plus the fare," the President said in a speech last month.
Last week, the Office of the Executive Secretary this week issued a memorandum order prohibiting all government officials under the executive branch to make foreign trips, except when they travel at their own expense, and if the country will greatly benefit from the said foreign trips. (Additional reporting by Genalyn Kabiling)
CHED chairperson Patricia Licuanan (Manila Bulletin file photo)
He added that he is unsure whether Nograles made a formal complaint against Licuanan before the Presidential Management Staff (PMS).
"She said so , but I don't know as of now if there's a formal complaint against CHED Chair Licuanan and if it's been received by PMS," Roque said.
"Unlike other cases, there were actual complaints received by the PMS. I'm not sure there is such a complaint but what I know is that Congressman Nograles has spoken already about this," he added.
Roque, however, reiterated that the President would investigate Nograles's allegations once an official complaint has been made.
"Needles to say, the President always looks and investigates all reports. It would help if it's formally filed," he said.
Licuanan, in a statement, defended her foreign trips, saying she secured travel authority from the Office of the President for all her travels including personal trips.
"This is well documented… I issue travel authorities for all CHED officials but not for myself," Licuanan said.
"It appears that what Rep. Nograles shared on his Facebook account as basis for his accusations is the internal Authority to Travel Abroad, which is routinely used to process the funds and is an attachment for securing Malacañang approval," she added.
Meanwhile, three presidential appointees are reportedly being investigated by Malacañang for alleged wrongdoings.
Roque, in a television interview early in the day, said three complaints have been received by the Office of the President. "The President always acts on complaints," he said.
Around 30 suspected erring policemen, including four colonels, are also at risk of getting fired, Roque said in line with the President's anti-corruption campaign.
Last year, President Duterte has emphasized his disapproval for excessive and unnecessary foreign trips, citing that this is wasting taxpayers' money and it slows down the function of the government.
"Mag-starvation diet muna tayo diyan (Let's go on a starvation diet for now). Every time you go out you spend per diems and then hotels plus the fare," the President said in a speech last month.
Last week, the Office of the Executive Secretary this week issued a memorandum order prohibiting all government officials under the executive branch to make foreign trips, except when they travel at their own expense, and if the country will greatly benefit from the said foreign trips. (Additional reporting by Genalyn Kabiling)