PSU prexy’s possible reappointment hit

By June 11, 2011Inside News, News

THE move by some quarters to have Victoriano Estira reappointed as president of Pangasinan State University (PSU) was lambasted by Sixth District Board Member Ranjit Ramos Shahani notwithstanding the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s endorsement.

Shahani abstained during the voting for that endorsement resolution as he alleged that the endorsement was tainted with a “conflict of interest” since the author, Board Member Von Mark Mendoza, reportedly holds a concession inside the PSU campus.

Shahani, speaking during the Pangasinan Tri-Media Association (PATRIMA) last Tuesday, also noted that the passage of that resolution prompted Board Member Alfonso Bince Jr, chairman on Good Government and Public Accountabilities, to sponsor another resolution enjoining his colleagues that henceforth there shall be no more resolution from the provincial board endorsing anyone for a government position.

Shahani warned the PSU’s board of regents about reappointing Estira in view of his pending cases before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Ang laking kahihiyan ‘yan sa PSU, sa Pangasinan, sa provincial board,” Shahani said in the event Estira is convicted of the charges while serving his second term in office as head of the government-owned educational institution.

Shahani said Estira does not deserve a second term of office having been involved in several questionable transactions, one of which was the opening of the PSU Alaminos campus without authority from the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd).

Estira is reportedly facing charges of illegal acquisition of properties, criminal and administrative charges in violation of anti-graft and corrupt practices act, and betrayal of public trust, among others contrary to the clearance issued Estira purportedly indicating he has no pending case.

CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY

Shahani intends to seek a congressional inquiry on why the Office of the Ombudsman issued a letter dated May 17, 2011 purporting to show that Estira has no pending criminal and administrative cases with that office.

The clearance signed by Lourdes D. Paloma Salazar, Graft Investigation Officer II, he insisted, was secured by Estira for “re-appointment purposes”.

However, on May 25, 2011, the Ombudsman issued another certification through Alicia A. Denaya, chief administrative officer, indicating that Estira is facing two pending cases filed with that office, both entitled “Dr. Lorna G. Urbiztondo, et al. vs. Dr. Victoriano C. Estira.

This would make Estira ineligible for another term as PSU president, Shahani said.

Estira was invited in the same forum but begged off due to a prior commitment.

Estira’s term as PSU president ends on June 19. –LM (With a report from PIA-Pangasinan)

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