Probe sought vs principal accused of mulcting money

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has urged city schools division superintendent Rhea Mar Angtud to look into the alleged unauthorized contribution collected by the school principal of Don Vicente Rama Memorial National High School from the students.

Rama wants Angtud to take an immediate action into the complaints of the three teachers accusing their principal, Nympha Balili, of mulcting money from the students.

Teachers Raul Constantino, Ricardo Diola and Junnie Padilla went to the Mayor on April 11 to complain about the alleged illegal activity of Balili. The teachers told Rama that Balili is asking P450 from each student as requirement for their clearance.

Students who do not pay the amount were not cleared and therefore could not get their report card.

“Please look into this matter seriously as this would place your office and the DepEd in bad light,” Rama told Angtud in his letter dated April 25.

The Mayor admitted he had been receiving complaints against Balili since February.

Rama said he is expecting from Angtud a “judicious resolution” on the alleged irregularity.

He stressed that his administration is against any form of collection in any public school as a requirement for the releases of school cards.

“Let this serve as a warning to all public school administrations in the city that violations shall not be countenanced by the undersigned,” Rama said.

Balili has been the principal of DVRMNHS for seven years now even if principals are supposed to have three years tour of duty.

Angtud said Balili has not been transferred because they have not yet scheduled the rotation of teachers. She also denied that Balili is collecting fees based on her inspection and interview with some parents. – (FREEMAN)