Ang PamantasanTHE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA

YEAR XXXV

VOL. 01

CSC: PLM Prexy’s appointment is invalid

THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION (CSC) has revoked the appointment of lawyer Artemio G. Tuquero, a retired justice of the Court of Appeals, as President of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) because he lacked the necessary educational qualifications. In its decision, issued on July 2, the CSC cited the 1997 Qualification Standards Manual for invalidating the former Justice Secretary’s appointment and election by the Board of Regents (BOR) last year. Under the CSC rules, the highest position in any state university and college, with salary grade 29 (SG 29), should have an appropriate doctorate degree and at least five years in position/s involving management and supervision. The CSC said the same minimum requirement for a university or college president should also apply for PLM. The highest position in Manila’s chartered university has a salary grade 30. Based on Tuquero’s personal data sheet, submitted to the CSC, he

only obtained a bachelor of laws degree, but complied with five year experience in a position involving management and supervision. Thus, Tuquero did not meet the qualification for the position of PLM president, which has an equivalent salary grade 30. Tuquero does not have any doctorate degree nor master’s degree in law.

Tuquero administration’s side The PLM’s legal counsel Attorney Carlos Carlos defended Tuquero’s appointment as legal, saying the university does not have to follow CSC rules because PLM has its own charter in 1967 and there was no educational qualifications for the University President. In an interview with AP, Carlos said there is no need to follow the CSC 1997 Qualification Standards Manual (QSM) because former Justice Tuquero was elected and was not appointed. “The President has been elected by the Board of Regents,” he told AP. “You could go in the public service in two ways: one is by appointment, one is by election. If it is by appointment, ayan kinakailangan

ANNA LORRAINE D. GALURA

INTRAMUROS, MANILA

JULY 2014

mag-follow. Doon mo kailangang sundin ‘yung rules ng civil service like ‘yung age requirement.” He also insisted that under R.A. 4196 or the PLM Charter does not require any qualification for the position of the University President. “Hindi natin pwedeng lagyan ng qualification standard ‘yung presidency dahil hindi naman hinihingi ng charter,” he said. “Sabi nila, ‘according to our manual, dapat daw ang president ay mayroong appropriate doctorate degree, so ibig sabihin they amended our charter by their own manual. So legal question, can a mere manual amend a charter or a republic act which was created by the congress? Definitely the answer basically is ‘No’.” Carlos explained by operation of law, the PLM Charter should always be followed because it is the university’s constitution created by the Congress. The CSC’s manual cannot be implemented inside the university because the charter states that the highest governing body that could create the policy is the Board of Regents (BOR). “Walang [binuo] ang BOR natin, walang nilagay na requirements, so therefore ‘di sila pwedeng magbigay

ng requirements at i-substitute ‘yung requirement nila sa atin. Sana sila na lang ‘yung nasunod sa ‘tin. Masisira ang academic freedom natin dyan,” he added. Moreover, Carlos said Tuquero was conferred a doctorate degree by the Urdaneta City University last February, making him even more qualified for the position if the education requirement is the issue. “Si Justice Tuquero was elected last July 3 [2013] so ang point natin dito with or without honoris causa, Justice Tuquero is valid, kasi ‘di naman kinwestyon ng CSC ‘yung election niya, ang kinontest sa kanya allegedly is wala siyang doctorate [degree], ang point natin doon is in our charter, doctorate degree is not needed,” he said. ”[Atty. Adel] Tamano was invested president of the PLM but he has no doctorate degree.” Tuquero reassumed his position as PLM president after the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch No. 53 court issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) last July 10. But it will expire on July 30 unless Tuquero gets an extension or the case is resolved in his favor.

TRO: ATTY. TUQUERO RESUMES OFFICE

NEWS | PAGE 02

HOW IS THE PRESIDENT BEING SELECTED?

NEWS | PAGE 02

SAYING GOODBYETO PRESIDENCY

EDITORIAL | PAGE 03

JOURNEY TO PRESIDENCY:ISSUES AND CONTROVERSIES

NEWS | PAGE 04

Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada reads the verdict of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), invalidating the appointment of Ret. Justice Artemio G. Toquero as the PLM President, stressing that a law, no matter how harsh, should be followed.

A LAW IS A LAW

NEWS02 JULY 2014

THE MANILA REGIONAL TRIAL COURT (RTC) issued a 72-hour ex-parte temporary restraining order (TRO) last July 10 reinstating Ret. Justice Artemio G. Tuquero in his position as President of

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), a day after the city government appointed BOR Chairman Amado Valdez as the Acting University President. In a hearing last July 13, Valdez stepped aside, allowing Tuquero to reassume his position. The next day, Judge Liwliwa S. Hidalgo-Bucu of

TRO: Atty. Tuquero resumes officeManila Regional Trial Court Branch No. 53 granted Tuquero a reprieve. As of press time, the court has set another hearing to tackle whether the TRO will be extended for another 20 days. Tuquero asked the court to issue a TRO when the BOR, motioned by Regent Estrellita P. Bautista and duly seconded

by Regent Adelaida Rodriguez, passed a resolution on July 8 suggesting the recall and withdraw of Atty. Tuquero’s election. The board resolution was announced through the public address system after an alleged surprise meeting.

rf

HOW IS THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT

BEING SELECTED?

THE REPUBLIC ACT 4196 OR MORE POPULARLY KNOWN AS THE UNIVERSITY CHARTER DOES NOT SET ANY QUALIFICATION STANDARD FOR THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION (CSC) HAS SET QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS IN THE COUNTRY. ACCORDING TO THE 1997 QUALIFICATION STANDARDS MANUAL, A UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT MUST HAVE AN APPROPRIATE DOCTORATE DEGREE. MORE SO, PLM’S STATUS AS A UNIVERSITY IS UNIQUE IN NATURE. PLM CAN BE CATEGORIZED AS PART OF THE LOCAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (LCUS) FOR THE UNIVERSITY’S FUNDS BASICALLY COME FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CITY OF MANILA. LIKEWISE, PLM HOLDS THE SAME REQUIREMENTS TO BE CONSIDERED BY OUR LAW AS A STATE UNIVERSITY. ACCORDING TO REPUBLIC ACT 8292 OR “THE HIGHER EDUCATION MODERNIZATION ACT OF 1997”, PLM ALSO MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF BEING A STATE UNIVERSITY. PAR (B)SECTION 3 OF THE REVISED IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONSN (IRR) OF THE SAID RA STATES THAT A TERTIARY INSTITUTION CAN BE CONSIDERED STATE UNIVERSITY IF IT HAS A CHARTER AND AN INDEPENDENT GOVERNING BOARD.

BEING A CHARTERED INSTITUTION WITH AN

AUTONOMOUS STATUS, PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD

NG MAYNILA (PLM) IS GOVERNED BY THE BOARD

OF REGENTS (BOR) AND ADMINISTERED BY THE

UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT.

THE PLM BOR IS COMPOSED OF SEVEN (7) MEMBERS. ACCORDING TO THE UNIVERSITY CHARTER, ONE OF WHOM SHALL COME FROM THE FACULTY, ANOTHER

FROM THE ALUMNI, AND THE OTHER ONE FROM THE FIELD OF EDUCATION. MEANWHILE, THE UNIVERSITY

CODE OF 1996 STATES THE SAME BUT ADDS THAT THE BOARD SHALL ALSO BE COMPOSED OF OTHER

RESPECTED PROFESSIONAL, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED) OR HIS DULY DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE AND OF COURSE,

UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE DIVISION OF CITY SCHOOLS IN MANILA, WHO SHALL SERVE AS THE BOARD’S EX-OFICIO, IS THE SEVENTH

MEMBER OF THE BOARD.

VOTE

THE MEMBERS OF THE BOR ELECT THEIR CHAIRMAN AND THE

UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT, WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

OF MANILA. THE CHAIRMAN HOLDS THE HIGHEST POST IN THE

BOARD, AND IS RESPONSIBLE IN PRESIDING OVER ALL THE

MEETINGS IT CONDUCTS WHILE THE PRESIDENT, ASIDE FROM BEING

THE CHAIRMAN’S EX-OFFICIO VICE-CHAIRMAN, ALSO SERVES

AS THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER WHO OVERSEES THE POLICY

IMPLEMENTATION INSIDE THE UNIVERSITY.

THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF MANILA, WITH THE CONSENT OF

THE THEN- MUNICIPAL BOARD WHICH IS NOW KNOWN AS THE CITY

COUNCIL OF MANILA, APPOINTS THE SIX (6) MEMBERS OF THE

BOARD. MEANWHILE, THE DCS SUPERINTENDENT OF MANILA WHO

SERVES AS THE EX-OFFICIO OF THE BOARD DOES NOT NEED AN

APPOINTMENT FROM THE MAYOR.

THE ELECTED UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT STARTS TO TAKE

THE POSITION AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF HIS

ELECTION IS RELEASED. THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT MAY

SERVE FOR SIX (6) YEARS AND MAY RENEW HIS/HER CONTRACT FOR ANOTHER SIX (YEARS) NOT UNLESS HE/SHE IS OUSTED FOR INCAPACITY, INCOMPETENCE,

DISHONESTY AND/OR CONVICTION OF A CRIME

INVOLVING MORAL TURPITUDE.

2 0 1 3 2 0 1 9

JULES ANDREW P. GARCIA

IMPORTANT

NOTE

MARTIN A. SADONGDONG

OPINION 03JULY 2014

“PASSIVE /’pasiv/ Adj. accepting or allowing what happens or what others do, without active response or resistance.” We, who are said to be the most important stakeholders of the university, are passive. We lack the initiative to be involved in different issues inside the university. We forget our right and partly, our commitment to know the truth. Recently, the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) administration faced a lot of controversies regarding the qualification of the University President Artemio G. Tuquero. Different takes regarding the issue were expressed creating a larger conflict and forgetting the problem’s soul cause. According to Civil Service Commission (CSC) Decision No. 14-0488, Atty. Tuquero is not qualified for his position due to failure in meeting the education requirement which is to have an Appropriate Doctorate Degree. The decision was promulgated on July 2 and an acting University President was appointed the week after. In response, the Tuquero administration filed a petition and was granted a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) by Manila Regional Trial Court for 20 days, preserving the status quo of the university. Now, I would like to ask: How much do you know? And how much would you like to know? Last July 10, during an assembly

held at the Manila City Hall which was joined by students several officials and staff of the university, I asked some of the so-called “important stakeholders” of the university on what is their take regarding the issues and what is their purpose in going to the venue. Though some of the student leaders and representatives of a political organization were there knowing what they were fighting for,

frankly, I was disappointed upon hearing the answers of some of the ‘scholars’. A group of mechanical engineering students who wished anonymity said that their professor just told them to go to the venue. Also, a group of accounting students answered that the reason why the President was ousted is the filed case against him

regarding the indecency and immorality during the 49th Foundation Day celebration. Political organizations inside the university started long-ago fighting the battle for student representation also known as the Student Regent. Some believe that the students were not properly informed regarding the situations of the issues inside the Pamantasan. But maybe, I would like to insist that it is our responsibility to be involved and to know the reality. The truth is we don’t care. We don’t ask questions, we just believe on what others say without weighing the evidences presented. Maybe, we are the dead fish, who just like to go with the flow because we really don’t care at all.

I CAN’T UNDERSTAND why things are going through like this. Let us put it this way: the students represent the Panatag Shoal while the administration and the Supreme Student Council (SSC) are two countries fighting for it. It’s as if there is an on-going territorial dispute between the two groups. They can’t establish a good connection. They can’t build a good rapport. Both of them are saying that their primary concern is the students’ general welfare. But how can they achieve it if right from the start, the two vital bodies that make up the university throw mud at each other? SSC seems to “contradict” some things that the administration [particularly Office of Student Development and Services] wanted to happen. Or maybe not the whole council but the highest and supposedly most respected person alone – the president. If you, dear readers, can remember, the issue on hair color created quite a buzz when SSC President John Rapid D. Canonizado posted on his facebook account his disapproval about it. The idea is that, only girls are allowed to dye their hair as what one amendment on the student manual suggests [Just to clarify, it is still subjected to the Board of Regents’ approval.]. As a result, a clear “parinigan” occurred when the OSDS Dean, Atty. Alexander G. Erese Jr., replied [through his personal account] to Canonizado’s post. Another incident happened when an alleged text message coming from Dean Erese spread, asking some 2,000 students to go to Manila City Hall in support of President Artemio G. Tuquero. Meanwhile, Mr. Canonizado also sent a text message which gives an implied meaning of preventing them to do it because according to him “they are using the students to retain their

power and positions.” It is absurd to think that while a person is striving for “maka-estudyanteng pamamahala”, other’s interest won’t be carried on. More of these things happened in the past. Little by little, it piled up. And before they knew it, an invisible wall, an intense rupture, is created between the two. But what if there’s an underlying reason why Mr. Canonizado is opposing the current administration? What if several people have bad blood with him, working their way to get under his skin? What if even after the election, the political parties never really went away?

Ideally, Mr. Canonizado is the most powerful and influential student in the university today. Whatever he say can shape, persuade, or offend other’s opinion and how they see things the way they are. And it looks like it will affect the current student council’s performance. With these I say, start with the very basic, Mr. President: unite with

the other council members. Only then that they will realize your side about the things that you, as a team and not as an individual, should be fighting for. As for the administration [I am referring to the whole bunch of officials], the feeling of support is something that you can’t fake. So probably we can start by giving a genuine one to the council and not for a group of students’ sake. And now we are back to the basic question: why can’t you guys be friends? Because so long as there are defiant actions, hidden objectives, and throwing of muds at each other’s face, you can never feel the ease of working with one another.

AFTER THE QUAKE | ANNA LORRAINE D. GALURA

Dead fish in the sea

BURNING BRIDGES DOWN | MARTIN A. SADONGDONG

Why can’t they be friends?

“The truth is we don’tcare. We don’t ask questions, we justbelieve on what

others say without weighing the

evidences presented.”

“It is absurd to thinkthat while a person

is striving for ‘maka-estudyanteng pamamahala’,

other’s interestwon’t becarried on. “

IMAGINE being in a position where everyone tells you to step down and that you are not even qualified for the post. What will you do? Would you go quietly? Or fight it out and stick with your belief and hold on to power? The Civil Service Commission (CSC) declared Justice Artemio G. Tuquero as ineligible to be the PLM President, effective July 2 under Decision no. 14-0488. This is after not complying with the education requirement set in the 1997 Qualification Standards Manual which is to have an Appropriate Doctorate Degree. However, the current university administration insists that Justice Tuquero is qualified to lead. PLM officials claim that R.A 4196 also known as the PLM University Charter should be followed. In R.A 4196, there is no mention of any qualification for the said post. The CSC’s decision was clear: “In the absence of any qualification requirements set by the law or proposed by the PLM and approved by the CSC, it is deemed proper to refer to the qualification requirements prescribed for the position of University/College President under the 1997 Qualification Standards Manual.” A law is a law, and it has to be followed. The passage of the 1987 Constitution and the Administrative Code of 1987 has already superseded the PLM University Charter which was approved on June 19, 1965. Therefore, the Commission has the power to establish and approve certain qualifications or standards for a position. And this is not some position. We are talking about the highest position of one of the leading state universities in the country Let us take the case of PAGCOR vs. Rilloraza as another example. In this case, the Supreme Court declared that “chartered institutions established prior to the passage of the 1987 Constitution and the Administrative Code of 1987 were considered subject to the authority of the Civil Service Commission.” Justice Tuquero may have also committed grave abuse of authority when he appointed some officials to university positions without proper qualifications. The BOR also considered Section 10 of the PLM Charter which provided the other grounds for removal of the President – incapacity, incompetence, dishonesty and/or conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude. Based on the BOR Resolution released last July 8, Tuquero reportedly appointed Dr. Elena R. Cernias as the Dean of the College of Management and Entrepreneurship (CME) and as the Officer-in-Charge of the Graduate School of Management when she was earlier dismissed from the service for Grave Misconduct, Serious Dishonesty, Gross Neglect of Duty, Violations of Section 4A(a), (b) and (c) of RA 6713. Also, he assigned Dr. Erlinda A. Cayao, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts as the OIC-Dean of the College of Nursing who is clearly not a nurse, violating Section 27 of Republic Act No. 9173 or the Philippine Nursing Act. Moreover, one of the objectives of the PLM is to enhance the good will and support of the stakeholders and benefactors for a sustainable caring people’s university. This cannot be done with a set of Regents pushing for the removal of the University President and a President fighting hard for power. All the above mentioned issues have brought nothing to the Pamantasan but confusion, instability and unnecessary attention. It is true that we are not certain if his successor is “more qualified” for the job or if the next reign will be better or worse. However, we need to face the issue at hand: the rule of law needs to be exercised. Only then will the conflict in the University be fixed.

Saying goodbye to Presidency

EDITORIAL

ACTING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ANNA LORRAINE D. GALURAACTING ASSOCIATE EDITOR MARTIN A. SADONGDONGACTING MANAGING EDITOR MARY PAULINE G. DEL ROSARIO

ACTING NEWS EDITOR JULES ANDREW P. GARCIAACTING FEATURES EDITOR CARL JEROME O. VELASCOACTING FILIPINO EDITOR KEITH NIÑO B. MEDRANOACTING LITERARY EDITOR ADLE MEYE R. ENRIQUEZACTING SPORTS EDITOR MC JAZER R. MALONDA

ACTING CIRCULATIONS MANAGER JESSICA B. PAG-IWAYANACTING BOARD SECRETARY ELOAH ANAWIM B. VALENCIANOACTING BUSINESS MANAGER MA. KARISHA MAE C. ORCULLO

STAFF WRITERS ALLAINE JOLINA O. MATIC ANNE JANE M. PANDIAN GLENDEL D. NAZARIO

CARTOONIST EHREN LOUISE M. DE DIOSLAYOUT ARTIST PHOEMELA NICOLE V. BALLARAN

Ang PamantasanT H E O F F I C I A L S T U D E N T P U B L I C AT I O N

O F T H E PA M A N TA S A N N G L U N G S O D N G M AY N I L ARoom 305,

Gusaling Villegas, PLM

/angpamantasanplm

angpamantasan1979@yahoo.com

@AngPamantasan

NEWS04

JOURNEY TO PRESIDENCY:ISSUES AND

CONTROVERSIES

JULY 2014

In a letter signed by Manila Mayor Joseph E. Estrada, he appointed Justice Artemio G. Tuquero as a member of the Board of

Regents (BOR) of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila with a tenure of six (6) years

starting from 03 July 2013 to 02 July 2019.

J U LY

03

In Regular Session No. 05, the 9th City Council, concurred under Resolution No. 52,

series of 2013, the appointment of Justice Tuquero as member of the BOR.

The BOR released Board Resolution No. 3587 announcing Justice Artemio G.

Tuquero, after being unanimously elected in the Special Meeting held the same day, the new University President for a period

of six (6) years effective 03 July 2013 to 02 July 2019. Amado D. Valdez is a co-

signatory of the document as the Regents’ Chairman. The Board also promulgated

Board Resolution No. 3588 ratifying the acts of Atty. Tuquero from July 04 as University

President.

2014

F E B R U A R Y

As reported by Abante Tonite, Atty. Reynaldo Bagatsing sent a letter to Manila

Mayor Joseph Estrada urging him to remove Justice Tuquero as PLM President and as Member of the Board of Regents as it is in accordance to the laws and circular

memorandum of the Civil Service...(CONTINUED)

MY EMR Solutions, Inc. Business Consultant Pablo Casimina filed a complaint to the Ombudsman against PLM President

Artemio G. Tuquero and Atty. Carlos M. Carlos in violation of the Anti Red

Tape Act of 2007 (R.A. 9485) and Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (R.A. 6713) after

not paying their company Php 17, 922, 543. 97 for the “Design, Supply, Installation and

Commissioning of an Integrated Systems for Communication Network” in the university.

Recognizing his distinguished public service as Secretary of Justice, contribution to

legal education and passion for academic excellence, Urdaneta City University confered a degree of Doctor of Laws,

honoris causa, to Retired Justice Artemio G. Tuquero.

M A R C H

University and Board Secretary Atty. Carlos received a letter from the Civil Service

Commission (CSC) invalidating Ret. Justice Tuquero from his position as University

President after failing to meet the education requirement set by the 1997 Qualification

Standards Manual.

Addresed to Ms. Lydia Alba Castillo, Director IV of the Civil Service Commission,

Atty. Carlos M. Carlos responded to the letter indicating that (1) the PLM President

is an elective official, and thus, not covered by the Civil Service rules on the

appointment of public officials, (2) being an elective officer with a six (6) year term, the

President is a non-career service, (3) the submission of BoR Resolution No. 3587

is for documentation and record purposes and not for approval, (4) the University

and Board secretary has no power to issue an appointment, and (5) the Charter does

not set any qualification standards on being a member of the Board. Atty. Carlos

requested for a recall and reconsideration to the CSC’s decision.

2013

(CONTINUATION) Commission. Bagatsing pointed out an

abuse of authority with his ‘questionable’ appointments on the top management

and the lack of a doctorate degree which is said to be a requirement for his position as PLM President. In an article published

by Inquirer, he also said that these “administrative and criminal abuses openly

committed by the mentioned officials, especially Justice Tuquero, are putting

indelible blemish not only on the Iglesia ni Cristo and its distinguished leaders, which you [Mayor Erap] respect very much, but

more so on yourself.”

16

19

05

25

06

27

12

05

M AY

A P R I L

07

The Board held a special meeting regarding the issue of whether or not a President of the University shall be appointed by the Mayor of the City of Manila in line with

Section 4 of R.A. 4196 or the PLM Charter. Regent Renato Dela Cruz referred to Atty. Adel Tamano’s appointment as University

President in which Vice Chairman Tuquero said that there was no appointment but an

election. On receding verification, it showed that Atty. Tamano was appointed and it was

validated by the Civil Service.

30Rolena Calinisan, chief of PLM Human Resources Development Office, filed a

charge of grave abuse of authority in the Office of the Ombudsman against Retired

Justice Artemio Tuquero after disregarding her application and official endorsement from the Mayor for the Vice President of

Administration position.

J U LY

02

The Civil Service Commission dismissed Atty. Carlos M. Carlos’ appeal and stood on their decision to invalidate Retired Justice Artemio G. Tuquero’s appointment as PLM President effective on this day as stated in

Decision No. 14-0488.

08

Despite of the accusations and allegations, Retired Justice Artemio Tuquero is unfazed after saying “I’m not disturbed or perturbed

by that decision. To me it’s nothing... (CONTINUED)

30

Upon acknowledging the CSC ‘s decision, an unauthorized Board meeting, without

President Tuquero, was held wherein Regent Estrellita P. Bautista, duly seconded by Regent Adelaida Rodriguez-Magsaysay,

motioned to recall and withdraw the election of Atty. Tuquero. It was also resolved “to declare the Office of the

President of the University as vacant as of the close of business hours on July 08 and any action of President Tuquero is deemed null and void,” and Atty. Carlos abstained from acting as counsel of Atty. Tuquero

before the Civil Service Commission. The Board also decided to put Chairman Amado

C. Valdez as acting University President until the City Mayor appoints a successor.

09

President Tuquero received a letter from the Office of the City Mayor of Manila...

(CONTINUED)

09

(CONTINUATION)signed by His Excellency , Joseph

Ejercito Estrada, addressed to Atty. Amado D. Valdez being the Chairman

of the Board of Regents and Acting President of the University stating that he “has not appointed any University

President up to this time.” At 3:00PM, an unauthorized general announcement was

done instructing all Administrative and Academic Staff to gather for an impromptu

meeting at the PLM T.O.P. Room. The Resolution that was formulated on July

08 was presented surprising Tuquero for he was not aware that there was a “Special Board Meeting” held without prior notice.

There were also rumors of a signature campaign circling on the freshmen

around the University Activity Center in support of Atty. Tuquero. Later that

night, a group message from the Office of the Students Development Services Dean Atty. Alexander G. Erese was sent to PLM students stating “help us out tom muster

2k students at the city hall… we will let our voices heard that we want justice tuquero

and no one else.. Sa loob ng mahabang panahon, ngayon lang nagkaroon ang

PLM ng mapagkanlungang president. Wag natin sayangin ang mabubuting nasimulan. Kalimutan muna ang mga kulay.. sa isang bihirang pagkakataon pagsamahin natin

ang ASUL BERDE at DILAW… see u @ city hall grounds 12:45 noon. Pls pass.”

10

Another text message by John Rapid Canonizado, Supreme Student Council

President, was forwarded which refrained the students to join the ‘rally’. The message stated that “They are using the students to retain their power and positions. The issue about Fashionista and Ginoo at Binibini is not only the reason why the president has recently been ousted. THERE ARE TONS OF RATIONAL REASONS WHY HE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM HIS OFFICE! Let

us now stop the political greediness! It’s time for new and peaceful PLM! God bless to us!”

Despite the pleas of different university officals, Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap”

Ejercito Estrada stood by the verdict of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) regarding the invalidated appointment of University

President Artemio G. Tuquero at Bulwagang Katipunan, Manila City Hall. A Motion for

Reconsideration was submitted to the Court of Appeals pertaining to the special board meeting held on July 08 to be illegal and

irregular. It is also appealed that the Board Resolution created that day was a direct

contravention of the PLM Charter because a University President can only be removed

for “incapacity, incompetence, dishonesty and/or conviction of a crime involving

moral turpitude.”

11

Manila Regional Trial Court First Vice Executive Judge Reynaldo Alhambra issued

an ex-parte 72-hour restraining order that prevented the effectivity of the Board Resolution dated July 08 and spared Atty.

Tuquero from his ouster.

14

PLM President Retired Justice Artemio G. Tuquero received a 20-day TRO after

Judge Liwliwa S. Hidalgo-Bacu furnished a status quo ante order making him retain his position and exercise his powers as the

University Head.

30The TRO issued will expire.

30

(CONTINUATION)because they nullified something that does

not exist,” in his interview with Inquirer. He also mentioned that even though the

university signed a Memorandum of Agreement on 2009, they are not paying

MY EMR due to the Commission on Audit’s finding that the contract had technical

deficiencies.

T I M E L I N E

BY MC JAZER R. MALONDA