'Arrogant' Taguig university executive sacked

MANILA, Philippines - A Taguig City University (TCU) official recommended by Mayor Lani Cayetano was terminated from the school yesterday for allegedly being arrogant and insubordinate.

TCU president Rolando Dizon told The STAR that he issued a memorandum “because of loss of confidence” in the school’s vice president for administration, Marie Calapit.

“I will not reappoint her after contract expires on Oct. 31,” he said. “She disobeys directives and orders that I gave for reasons I don’t know.”

Dizon, a former president of the De La Salle University, also slammed Calapit for the allegedly bringing in her husband, Eugene, to the school without a proper appointment.

“He’s (Eugene) the one bullying people. He doesn’t even have any authority but (he throws his weight around) because he claimed that he was designated by the mayor. Really crazy and arrogant,” Dizon said.

Several TCU students and their parents staged a rally and called for the dismissal of Calapit, whom they accused of being abusive and corrupt.

TCU central student government president Gerald Valenzuela claimed that Calapit has started asking students “to pay all kinds of fees, which are a big burden to our families particularly in these hard times.” He also alleged that students are made to pay “penalty fees” of P250 per unit for getting a grade of 2.75 and 3.0, and P1,000 per unit if they get a failing grade.

Dizon confirmed the accusations and said Calapit and her husband made decisions “without even consulting” him or the board of regents which, according to the city ordinance that created TCU, is the sole appointing power and decision-making body of the university.

“She’s already going out of bounds. I don’t know if this is arrogance. She’s got a big head. She started behaving like this on her second week of appointment,” Dizon said. “She even dismissed 35 school employees who have valid contracts until December 2010 for reason I don’t even know.”

Calapit was recommended by Cayetano to work for TCU. Dizon said they decided to accept Calapit “out of courtesy to the mayor.” The STAR tried to reach Calapit’s husband but calls remain unanswered.

Dizon said they already have a replacement for Calapit but will only make the proper announcements once the contract termination takes effect.