MALACAÑANG said Friday it expected dismissed CHED executive director Julito Vitriolo to clear his name over the allegations he failed to stop a diploma milling program and allowed the issuance of diplomas for a physical education program under a suspended memorandum agreement.
“We expect that Mr. Vitriolo and his legal representation would take the appropriate action to clear his name,” Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a statement.
He said he also respected the decision of the Ombudsman to dismiss Julito Vitriolo.
“We recognize and respect the independence of the Ombudsman. It has a constitutional duty to fulfill,” Andanar said.
He made his statement even as CHED Chairwoman Patricia Licuanan said her agency will comply with the Ombudsman’s order dismissing Vitriolo.
“We will comply with the order of the Office of the Ombudsman,” Licuanan said in a statement.
The Ombudsman on Thursday ordered Vitriolo dismissed after finding him guilty of grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty.
Vitriolo allegedly failed to stop a diploma milling program and allowed the issuance of diplomas for a physical education program under a suspended memorandum agreement.
Despite his suspension, Vitriolo insisted that the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila could still issue the students’ transcripts to the graduates of Master in Physical Education and Sports and Certificate in Physical Education “based on vested rights.”