USM prexy quits; school ops slowly restored

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines  --- Normal operations have been slowly restored in the 6,000-hectare of the campus of the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) in Kabacan town following last week’s resignation of its president, whose ouster various groups demanded through protest actions that disrupted classes.

The president of USM, Jesus Antonio Derije, voluntarily filed his resignation last week, saying his gesture was “for the best interest” of the university. 

An appointed caretaker, lawyer Christopher Cabilen, has been overseeing the operations of USM long before Derije resigned from his post.

Cabilen said Derije is just waiting for an appointment for a new position from the Commission on Higher Education.

Derije is facing graft cases at the Ombudsman filed by the groups that contested his presidency of USM due to alleged embezzling of university funds, mismanagement, and other irregularities.

The protesters picketed at the main gates of the USM campus, at the town proper of Kabacan, disrupting classes for six months. They agreed to disband and re-open the school gates only last June after Cabilen took over as officer-in-charge, replacing Derije. - John Unson