The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is, once again, rocked with controversy after suspended CHED Commissioner Aldrin Darilag filed a complaint against Chairperson Prospero de Vera for graft and corruption and abuse of authority, March 12.

In his five-page complaint, Darilag alleged de Vera of rigging government contract biddings for last year’s medical supplies in several state universities and colleges. The university presidents backing these allegations, however, opted to have their names concealed.

The favored bidder in question is Aspen Philippines, a pharmaceutical company, which Darilag said de Vera forced him to grant the bids to.

Upon inspection of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS), Aspen Philippines is not part of the merchant registry. Under the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Government Procurement Reform Act, a business is prohibited from bidding for a government contract without a PhilGEPS registration.

Earlier in January, Darilag was slapped with a 90-day preventive suspension by Malacañang for alleged grave misconduct, neglect of duty, abuse of authority, and oppression. 

Darilag protested that he was not afforded a just process, as he was not furnished a copy of the complaint or a show cause order. But beyond this, he also accused de Vera of hostility toward him and his staff, conducting “unnecessary inspection” of their clothes and belongings.

On March 13, de Vera retaliated with a statement, saying that Darilag is barking up the wrong tree. De Vera claimed that he is “not in a position to manipulate procurement activities.”

But the CHED chief, who also chairs the UP Board of Regents (BOR), remains in hot water for another malversation rap over an unaccounted P10.3 billion from the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) program.

The complaint states that de Vera failed to disburse P30,000 to multiple grantees in several regions within the semester of application, as prescribed by the Free Tuition Law. This issue dates back to 2022 when the Senate moved to investigate the questionable UniFAST grant disbursements, along with allegations of ghost and double scholars.

Six colleges and universities' BORs previously chaired by Darilag have since been transferred to other commissioners. 

Darilag and de Vera’s feud follows a series of controversies in CHED. In January, Jo Mark Libre was removed from his position as CHED commissioner for nepotism and grave misconduct.

Following Libre’s dismissal and Darilag’s suspension, only de Vera and Commissioners Ronald Adamat and Marita Canapi remain in CHED’s top leadership. All three were appointed by former President Rodrigo Duterte. 

A fact-finding committee composed of CHED officials has been formed, following a directive from Malacañang. The committee is set to submit a final report to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who will determine if charges should be brought against Darilag.

As for de Vera, a guilty verdict at the Sandiganbayan spells at least one-year imprisonment and perpetual disqualification from public office. 

It also means that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will have to appoint a new CHED head, and consequently, a new UP BOR chairperson. ●