High-ranking CHEd official resigns over death threats, “legal and political challenges”

(Eagle News) — A high-ranking official of the Commission on Higher Education has resigned.

The resignation of Karol Mark Yee, CHEd executive director, came after the resignation of CHEd Chair Patricia Licuanan amid allegations she took questionable trips.

“As the President may be aware, following my appointment last July 2017, there have been ongoing legal and political challenges that have since constrained the full exercise of my authority and duty,” Yee said in his letter submitted to Malacanang on  Monday.

He was apparently referring to an appeal filed by Yee’s predecessor, Julito Vitriolo, before the Court of Appeals.

Vitriolo was dismissed by the Ombudsman  after he was found guilty of grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty over his alleged failure to  stop the issuance of diplomas for a physical education program under a suspended memorandum agreement.

According to Yee, an appointee of President Rodrigo Duterte, he has also been “at the receiving end of unceasing harassment and of relentless threats against (his) life and person, which has caused (him) great personal and psychological strain, that has ultimately made it extremely difficult to further proceed.”

Licuanan announced her resignation during a flag-raising ceremony at the CHEd office in Quezon City on January 15.

She made the move even as she denied the allegations against her.

“It has become obvious that there are persons determined to get me out of CHED by hurling false and baseless accusations against me in what appears to be a fishing expedition and a well-orchestrated move in media,” she added.