Benguet school chief ordered to step down

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Philippines – The president of the state-run Benguet State University (BSU) has been ordered by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to step down from his post.

Ben Ladilad has reportedly been embroiled in a number of controversies, including alleged fund misuse and administrative lapses.

CHED gave Ladilad until Dec. 5 to vacate the post. 

CHED Commissioner Patricia Licuanan said Ladilad failed in the evaluation conducted by the agency. 

He was given a 3.5 rating. A minimum rating of five is needed to allow him to stay on as university president.

Although the ratings given by the evaluation committee were not unanimous, Licuanan decided not to extend Ladilad’s term.

A petition at the state-run university had been seeking to end Ladilad’s term. It cited alleged imprudent spending of school funds and disregard of BSU’s promotion rules.

The petitioners hit Ladilad for allegedly diverting over P50 million allocated for the maintenance and other operating expenses of the university.

They said the official did not grant the employees performance bonus in 2013. 

Ladilad has denied the allegations against him.