Nograles says many issues led to Licuanan’s ‘dismissal’

Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta party-list Representative Jericho Nograles on Tuesday said the number of foreign trips of Patricia Licuanan was not the sole issue that led to her dismissal as chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education.

In an interview on "Hirit ni Mareng Winnie" on Unang Hirit, Nograles said the focus should not be on her trips abroad alone as "there are many issues that led to this."

"The issue is not about travel. The issue is about the scholars," he said. "We are talking about 11,000 scholars in the K to 12 Transition Program. We are about to embark into the biggest scholarship program of free higher education, millions of scholars."

Nograles said there are about 11,000 teacher scholars of the K to 12 Transition Program who are affected by the supposed delay in the release of their grants.

A total of 933 scholars will not receive their allowances due to their failure to submit enrollment forms, according to Licuanan.

As of January 11, Licuanan said the CHED has fully released allowances for 2,051 scholars who submitted complete requirements. The agency also approved the partial release of living allowances for 1,011 scholars with valid contracts and enrollment forms, despite pending requirements.

She also clarified that only 4,096 faculty scholars are experiencing delays in the release of living allowances, contrary to earlier reports saying it amounted to 9,500 scholars.

Licuanan on Monday morning announced her resignation after receiving a phone call from Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea who asked her to step down from her post.

She was earlier accused by Nograles of going on a "travel binge" and approving her own travel authority. Nograles later on admitted that he committed a mistake in claiming that Licuanan's trips abroad were not authorized by the Office of the President.

Licuanan, who was supposed to end her term in July, denied the allegations and defended her foreign travels, saying that the trips opened more opportunities to enhance the quality of higher education in the country.

President Rodrigo Duterte has also confirmed that he dismissed Licuanan and said there will be more government officials who will follow.

In July 2016, Licuanan said that Duterte will respect her term and belied rumors that she will be replaced by the Chief Executive.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, meanwhile, said that accusations against Licuanan were already rendered "moot" following her resignation. —Marlly Rome Bondoc/KG, GMA News