Lambino recalls resolution declaring PSU’s Buted persona non-grata
THE Sangguniang Panlalawigan, on motion of Vice Governor and presiding officer Mark Lambino, recalled a resolution passed in 2016 during the 9th Sanggunian declaring Pangasinan State University president Dexter Buted as persona non grata in Pangasinan.
The resolution introduced by Lambino was approved over two abstentions by Board Members Haidee Pacheco (2nd District) and Mary Rosary Tababa (5th District).
Pacheco, a lawyer, initially objected citing the impact of declaring one a persona non grata but later decided to abstain, while Tababa abstained out of propriety since she was part of the 9th Sanggunian that passed the declaration.
When Pacheco asked Vice Governor Lambino why the change of heart, the latter cited the maxim that actions speak louder than words, saying that Buted has reached out to Governor Ramon Guico III and offered the services of the PSU to the province.
Lambino clarified that the discussion that led to the declaration of Buted as persona non grata started during the 8th Sanggunian owing to allegations made by some On-the-Job Training (OJT) students, and the hearings were terminated with the resolution passed in the 9th Sanggunian.
He said it was Buted’s belligerence and defiance, refusing to attend the hearings citing the hearings as “politically motivated” that resulted in the declaration.
He then described Buted’s performance as PSU president for two terms that enabled PSU achieve a Level 4 teaching status and the only institution that bagged the quality award level 3 status, both of which are the highest in the country. Lambino also cited the performance of students of the PSU, having been topnotchers on many government licensing examinations.
Pacheco’s premise for her initial objection is the rationale behind a persona non grata declaration, that it points to the very character of the person and whatever achievements that may be credited to the person does not change the character.
“And we are actually in effect nullifying this resolution which was duly approved in a regular session, which is actually a legal proceeding. So, for us to recall this resolution, I don’t think we will be in a proper position to do this given that we are recalling this resolution based on the manifestation of the good governor,” Pacheco said.
After the one-minute recess for a brief talk with Lambino, Pacheco agreed to merely abstain given the fact that she was not a party to the 9th Sanggunian.
Sixth District Board Member Noel Bince who did not object to the resolution, remarked that Buted “should have at least shown courtesy and a sense of remorse since it was the SP that declared him persona non grata.” Bince was the chairman of the committee on laws and ordinances when the declaration was made. (Leonardo Micua)
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