By Elami Go
MANILA — A group of employees from Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) is asking the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to revisit the qualifications of candidates for the university’s top post, citing alleged deficiencies in submitted documents and questions on eligibility.
In an open letter dated April 20, addressed to CHED Commissioner Shirley C. Agrupis, the employees called for strict enforcement of the search committee’s rules on qualifications and requirements.
The appeal identified three contenders: Ramil S. Catamora, Armando Alviola, and Lorelie F. Tangaran.
While concerns were raised about all three candidates, some employees noted that Alviola appears to have the strongest administrative and leadership experience, despite questions regarding the validity of his NBI clearance.
The group claimed that both Catamora and Alviola submitted NBI clearances that may have exceeded the three-month validity rule set in the guidelines.
They stressed that uniform application of requirements is essential to preserve fairness and credibility in the selection process.
Catamora is also facing attention due to a pending Ombudsman complaint filed by former NwSSU president Benjamin L. Pecayo, which employees said should still be factored into his evaluation.
Meanwhile, Tangaran’s administrative experience was questioned, particularly whether her previous roles meet civil service requirements for supervisory positions involving at least three personnel.
Employees also criticized the search committee for releasing the shortlist at the same time as the public forum announcement, saying it limited proper review of candidate qualifications.
Despite the issues raised, some employees maintained that Alviola remains a strong contender based on his overall credentials.
They urged CHED to conduct a fair and thorough review of all applicants and warned that unresolved concerns in the process could lead to formal complaints before the Ombudsman.