After Libre's exit, Barbers tells CHEd not to embarrass PBBM again
At A Glance
- Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers says the screening group of the Commission on Higher Education clearly failed in the vetting Commissioner Jo Mark Libre.
- Libre was ordered removed by the Ombudsman on charges of grave misconduct, among others.
Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers (Facebook)
Please don't embarrass the President again.
Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers had this to say to the Commission on Higher Education Education's (CHEd) screening panel after Commissioner Jo Mark Libre was ordered removed by the Ombudsman on charges of grave misconduct, among others.
“The charges have been filed way before Libre was appointed commissioner. The screening group clearly failed in the vetting process," Barbers said on Friday, Jan. 19.
"In this light, I appeal to the current screening group not to make the mistake of embarrassing the President by recommending appointments of people facing serious charges," said the veteran solon from Mindanao.
"Though the presumption of innocence may apply, it will not harm us if we take precautions until such charges have been resolved," noted Barbers, chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs.
“As to the CHEd officials, appointed commissioners with pending serious charges should not be given assignments as chairs of the various SUC (state universities and colleges) boards. If they have no delicadeza to resign, they should not be allowed to wield more power and influence over the SUCs," he said.
Barbers said that such a task belongs to the CHEd chairman, "who should exercise extra(ordinary care and diligence in overseeing the affairs of the SUCs and the welfare of our students".
"The chairman should take this seriously especially since another sitting commissioner is similarly facing serious charges," he said.