Slain PUP exec 'knew too much'

MANILA, Philippines - Slain Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) vice president Augustus Cezar was a man of principle and may have known too much of the irregular transactions that took place in the past, an official said yesterday.

Patricia Licuanan, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairperson and chair of the PUP board of regents, said Cezar has been an ally of the new batch of PUP regents trying to implement reforms at the state university and his death is a big loss.

“Cezar was a most valuable member of the PUP administration. He knew a lot about what was going on at PUP, perhaps too much, he was loyal to the institution, he was principled and courageous,” Licuanan said.

She added that Cezar “died in the line of duty.”

Licuanan, along with top officials of CHED, visited his wake at the PUP yesterday afternoon. A necrological service for Cezar was held at the university’s interfaith chapel last night. His remains will be flown to Aklan province on Sunday.

The current PUP board is currently embroiled in a legal battle with former PUP president Dante Guevarra, who wants to have his term extended. Guevarra is opposing the PUP board’s move to install activist and ex-priest Edicio dela Torre as officer-in-charge of the state school.

“We are fighting the court cases filed by Guevarra against the legal actions of the BOR,” Licuanan said. “The search for a new president is ongoing.”

Guevarra, along with two other university officials, was ordered suspended for 90 days by the Sandiganbayan in November 2008 in connection with 12 counts of graft filed against them by Office of the Ombudsman more than a decade ago.

They were accused of conspiracy to commit irregularities in the construction of eight school buildings worth P20.91 million in 1989; overpayment of terminal leave benefits to former PUP president Nemesio Prudente; unauthorized payment of fees and honoraria to public works and PUP officials; overpayment on a land purchase; and questionable payments of P10.65 million to creditors.