2 teachers sue DepEd officials over work status

CEBU, Philippines - Two public school teachers have sought refuge with the courts for the Department of Education (DepEd) to enforce their appointments as Principal 1 and adjust their salaries and benefits.

Last Thursday, Lolita Uytico and Venus Bacala filed a civil complaint for mandamus against DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro, DepEd 7 Director Recaredo Borgonia, Cebu DepEd Schools Division Supt. Arden Monisit, DepEd Schools District Supervisor Juan Yuson, Jr. and unidentified members of DepEd Division Investigating Committee.

Petitioners said they were legally appointed as principal I by the DepEd Screening Committee last January 17, 2008 for Uytico and May 30, 2008 for Bacala.

However, they were allegedly unfairly discriminated and unreasonably denied proper assignments. Their wages and benefits were also allegedly not adjusted properly.

Uytico said she made the request for proper assignment and salary adjustment after the Civil Service Commission affirmed her appointment, but DepEd allegedly denied the same.

“I requested for assignment and appropriate salary adjustment but the defendants unreasonably denied my request,” Uytico said.

Uytico said her appointment was valid unless the Civil Service Commission revokes it.

She said the investigating committee members violated Republic Act 4670 or the Magna Carta of Public School Teachers after they disclosed the issue to the media about the ongoing investigation of their promotion.

Uytico said the publication of their case caused them and their family “untold shame that besmirched their reputation causing them sleepless night.”

The petitioners then asked the court to order defendants to enforce their appointments as principal I and to adjust their salaries and benefits since May 19, 2008 until March 21, 2011.

They likewise asked defendants to pay each of them the amount of P592, 450 in actual damages; P10, 000 in moral damages; P10, 000 in exemplary damages; and P30, 000 in attorney’s fees. — (FREEMAN)