PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has named Commissioner Prospero de Vera as officer-in-charge of the Commission on Higher Education and Labor Undersecretary Bernard Olalia the new administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea informed De Vera of Duterte’s instructions in a letter dated Jan. 24, a copy of which Malacañang released on Friday.
“Upon the instruction of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, and to ensure the continuous and effective delivery of public service, please be informed that you are hereby designed as officer-in-charge of the Commission on Higher Education effective immediately,” Malacanang’s statement said.
Meanwhile, Duterte also named former Negros Oriental Rep. Jacinto Paras an undersecretary of Labor Department in a letter he signed on Jan 23.
Paras is one of the volunteer lawyers of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption who went after the perceived political opponents of the Duterte administration such as Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales as well as Senators Risa Hontiveros and Antonio Trillanes IV.
De Vera’s appointment came as no surprise as he is the most senior commissioner in CHED after the resignation of Licuanan.
Licuanan “resigned” from her post after being accused of excessive foreign trips. Licuanan is an appointee of former President Benigno Aquino III.
Before his appointment to CHED, De Vera was a professor of policy analysis, administrative systems, social development and legislative studies at the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance.
He also served as executive assistant, chief of staff, senior consultant and senior adviser to at least eight senators, including former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and former Senate President Pro-Tempore Leticia Ramos-Shahani.