Duterte orders DAP president to vacate post

December 20, 2017 by Editha Z. Caduaya Leave a Comment

The order was given through a letter signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Monday.

In the letter, Medialdea said that Cruz was appointed by Duterte to the DAP on March 14, 2017 “to serve the unexpired Term of Office that began 01 July 2016 and ended on June 30 2017.”

On December 8, The DAP Personnel Association sent a letter to Duterte asking him to terminate the Cruz and accused her of “lacking the knowledge, the temperament, and the behavior necessary to lead any organization or government organization.”

The employees alleged that Cruz blatantly violated existing government rules and regulations, noting that she was travelling abroad every month that led to DAP’s deprivation of “official time to physically manage the Academy.”

In a joint statement released Wednesday, December 20, DAP employees said Cruz’s termination was the President’s “best Christmas gift.” “Employees of the Development Academy of the Philippines today thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for finally terminating Atty. Elba S. Cruz as DAP president, saying it is the best Christmas gift they can receive,” the statement read.

The DAP facebook page, few minutes ago posted “Atty. Elba S. Cruz, the beleaguered president and CEO of DAP, has expressed her continued support and firm belief in the President of the Philippines, Rodrigo R. Duterte.”

The statement described Cruz “As a loyal soldier, with the rank of a Lt. Colonel of the Reservist Brigade of Davao, she will always obey the wishes of the Republic of the Philippines. Atty. Elba S. Cruz, a PhD holder and a post-graduate alumna of the National Defense College, has always expressed her stance as an obedient solider regarding her political appointment as the president and CEO of DAP.”

The statement added “Despite being unanimously confirmed as President and CEO by the Board of Trustees of DAP, composed of 11 Secretaries of different agencies, Atty. Cruz has always maintained that she serves under the pleasure of the Philippine President.”

The same statement belied all the allegations hurled agianst Cruz.

In closing the it says “DAP wants the public to know that despite the dynamic situation at the top leadership of the institution, the Academy’s programs and operations will function as they should, regardless of the political uncertainty that the institution is presently experiencing.situation at the top leadership of the institution, the Academy’s programs and operations will function as they should, regardless of the political uncertainty that the institution is presently experiencing.”

In a letter sent to Cruz, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea stressed “Considering that your Term of Office expired on 30 June 2017 and that you been serving in the DAP Board in a holdover capacity, we now wish to inform you that, upon instructions of the President, your service in such holdover status is hereby discontinued effective immediately.”

“To ensure uninterrupted delivery, you are hereby directed to turn over all official documents, papers and properties in your possession to the proper office of the DAP,” the Executive Secretary added.

The order came more than a week after DAP employees submitted a petition to President Duterte to sack Cruz for what they said were “transgressions detrimental to the interest of the DAP and its employees.”

They also accused her of gross violation of civil service rules and regulations, designation of employees with questionable background and civil standards, displacement of plantilla personnel, procedural and administrative lapses, and unclear leadership directions among others.

Cruz’s ouster from the DAP was met with rejoicing from the employees of the government’s premier research and training institution.-Editha Z. Caduaya/Newsline.ph

About Editha Z. Caduaya

Edith Z Caduaya studied Bachelor of Science in Development Communication at the University of Southern Mindanao.

The chairperson of Mindanao Independent Press Council (MIPC) Inc.

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