Palace confirms CHED executive director quit

February 2, 2018

Malacanang confirmed on Friday that another executive of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) resigned.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque told reporters that CHED executive director Karol Mark Yee quit.

"He has resigned and of course, the President (Rodrigo Duterte) will decide. We note that (Julito) Vitriolo has a CA (Court of Appeals) order to reinstate him which former chairperson (Patricia) Licuanan refused to enforce," he said.

"But that's it. We just note that there was such an order that Licuanan refused to enforce," he added.

Duterte appointed Yee to CHED after the Office of the Ombudsman ordered Vitriolo's dismissal as executive director in January 2017 due to alleged irregularity.

But Vitriolo appealed the case and the CA ordered his reinstatement in August 2017. Yee reportedly resigned due to the threats against his life.

Asked if Duterte would look into the threats against Yee, Roque said, "let him file a complaint (with the police) if he wants."

Yee's resignation came after Licuanan also quit as CHED chair last month after being told by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea over the phone to resign.

Licuanan, an appointee of former President Benigno Aquino III, was supposed to end her term in July 2018. Celerina Monte/DMS