Ex-CHED Chief Popoy De Vera denies role in NPUP Bill veto
De Vera says he supported the creation of the National Polytechnic University of the Philippines and clarifies that the veto recommendation came from CHED's new leadership after his term
Former CHED Chairperson Popoy De Vera refutes claims linking him to the veto of the NPUP bill, saying he supported its passage before leaving office. (CHED / file)
Former Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson J. Prospero “Popoy” De Vera III clarified that he had no role in the recent veto of the proposed National Polytechnic University of the Philippines (NPUP) bill, rejecting claims raised during a congressional budget hearing.
De Vera issued the statement on September 11 in response to Rep. Eli San Fernando of the Kamangagawa Partylist, who alleged that the former CHED chief was behind the veto of the NPUP measure.
“He should read the minutes of all the committee hearings in the Senate and House on the NPUP bill,” De Vera said.
“I supported the creation of a National Polytechnic University of the Philippines because the objections raised in the past had already been addressed,” he added.
The former CHED chair stressed that he was “as surprised as everyone else” when President Marcos vetoed the measure earlier this year.
De Vera added the veto recommendation came from CHED’s new leadership after his term had ended.
“The veto was proposed by the new Chairperson after I left CHED. For the record,” he clarified.
The NPUP bill, which sought to establish a polytechnic university to strengthen technical-vocational education and applied sciences, had also been vetoed during the Duterte administration due to concerns over overlaps with existing state universities and colleges.