Republic of the Philippines

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Regional Office V

July 22, 2014

Dr. Alma Banua
Director
Bicol Health Research Consortium
Bicol University
Dear Madam:
Last 3rd Quarterly meeting, Dr. Ma. Teresa De Alban said you named me as
the one who attended the 2nd Quarterly meeting last April 30, 2014 for only
thirty minutes. While I am not going to quibble as to how long I stayed in the
meeting, and since my side was not asked, allow me to explain in this letter
the reasons behind.
Last April 30, 2014, I went to your office in Bicol University hoping to hitch a
ride to Nabua but was told that I was late by three minutes-- the van that you
took with the other members had already left.
At 8:40 AM, I was already in Guinobatan, Albay, on my way to Nabua, when I
received a phone call from CHEDRO requesting me to go back as the former
Regional Director, Dr.Bernal, now assigned in Cebu, was then on his way to
Legazpi City to discuss important office concerns with all CHED Supervisors.
After receiving the call, I had to turn back to Legazpi City to attend the
hastily-called office meeting. Nonetheless, before 10:30 A.M., I excused
myself from CHEDRO V and told them that I had to proceed to Nabua. I also
told my superior that if time would permit, I would try to come back to the
office later in the afternoon so as to be able to address unresolved office
concerns.
I decided to drive myself using my own car to Nabua since I was already
running late and I arrived at CSPC around 11:30 AM. If you recall, I
apologized to the group and to you for coming in late. You said that it was
okay and that you were expecting me since Dr. De Alban earlier
communicated that I would stand in for her. At this point, the groups
discussion was on how we could address the leadership vacuum as the Dean
of CSPC had begged-off to be the lead-researcher on our multi-disciplinary
research effort. On this, I and Dr. Bradecina proposed that a permanent lead-

researcher was required to set clear directions and to avoid confusion. You
were on the fence on this matter, and decided that since food was already
served, all of us should eat our lunch.
After lunch, we were supposed to have a break-out session per committee. I
noticed that Dr. Bradecina had already left, while the other members,
including the DOH and AMEC representatives, were also leaving. People were
simply going out of the room as if the meeting had already ended. I also
noted that I was the only one present in the RICUC group. Dr. Lucena, the
chair of RICUC, and the AUL representative were absent. My dilemma was
with whom should I meet with? Clearly, I am not a one man committee.
Another, as a mere proxy to Dr. De Alban it would be presumptuous for me to
make plans for the entire RICUC committee and pretend to speak on all their
behalf. Also, even before I transferred to CHED, my understanding was that
the plans of the RICUC committee were already forwarded to the secretariat.
Moreover, assuming a new plan was required, I was confident that Dr. Lucena
would no doubt forward the same to you in no time.
It was at this point that I decided to go back to CHEDRO since I still had a
pending meeting later in the afternoon. Before I left, however, I noticed that
it was only your group that was left huddled in a meeting. More importantly,
majority of our members at this time have already gone ahead.
I hope that I have explained fully the reasons as to why I came in late and
had to leave ahead. In the future, I will appreciate it that before my name will
be flippantly alluded to if not singled out that I first be given the opportunity
to air my side. Finally, I could not end this letter without acknowledging my
principal, Dr. De Alban, for rushing to my defense. Really, people who are
circumspect with words and whose judgment is not dictated by their emotion
and whose memory is not selective can decide best.
Thank you.

Sincerely,
Christian
Rivero
ES II
CHED
Cc:

Dr. Ma. Teresa G. De Alban

SEPS

E.

CHED
Dr. Pelita C. Lucena
Chair
RICUC