MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte has asked Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) President Elba Cruz to vacate her post as her term had already expired in June 2017.
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.”
“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,” Medialdea said.
“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.”
In the letter sent by the DAP Personnel Association (DAPPER) dated December 8 to the President, DAP employees called for Cruz’s removal citing allegations of mismanagement, untoward attitude toward employees and frequent foreign travels.
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.
In a statement released Wednesday, DAP employees thanked President Duterte for “finally terminating” Cruz, saying her termination is the “best Christmas gift” they can receive. (PNA)
