Angtud slammed for signature drive

CEBU, Philippines — Tuburan Mayor Aljun Diamante has lambasted Department of Education (DepEd) Cebu Division Superintendent Rhea Mar Angtud for allegedly asking support from mayors and public schools district supervisors for her retention.

Diamante received reports that Angtud is reportedly soliciting support from town mayors and district supervisors by a signature campaign.

“She is surreptitiously asking for signature campaign to counter our resolution. Her action is an admission that she is not willing to work harmoniously with the local government units,” he said.

This after the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)-Cebu Chapter, which is chaired by Diamante, asked DepEd Secretary Leonora Briones to transfer and reassign Angtud.

The league, in a two-page resolution, said Angtud failed to establish a harmonious and productive relationship with the mayors.

"She (Angtud) lacks coordination with the local chief executives as regards to DepEd activities and schools infrastructure projects being implemented in the different municipalities,” read the resolution.

Diamante, in a recent letter addressed to mayors, reminded them about the league’s resolution.

"To reiterate, we passed a Resolution requesting Angtud's transfer due to her failure to coordinate with the local chief executives in the handling of educational programs, specifically the provision of school buildings and teachers, among others," the mayor’s letter read.

"Kana iyang pagka kapit-tuko bisan naghimo na og Resolution ang LMP. Nagtuo siguro siya nga ang LMP ako ra," Diamante said in a separate interview.

Diamante hinted that majority of town officials won’t attend DepEd activities if Angtud will continue to stay in her position.

"Dili na raba mangapil og DepEd activities ang mga mayors if dili siya mabalhin. Dili hinuon siguro tanan pero majority of the mayors,” he said.

The FREEMAN tried to get the reaction of Angtud, but she refused to comment.

Angtud, in an earlier interview, believed that the resolution was brought about because of political motivations.

 She could only recall of one instance when a mayor got mad because her office did not heed the official's request as it was contrary to DepEd rules and guidelines.

Last June, several public schools district supervisors have stood up to counter the request of LMP-Cebu chapter to oust Angtud.

They cited that the league's statements were only based on "malicious" grounds, questioning the "bias, animosity and the speculative, if not deceptive, or misleading" arguments from the league.

They said personnel from DepEd Cebu province could attest the integrity and uprightness of Angtud.—  KBQ (FREEMAN)