Candijay Mayor Sergio Amora, Jr. and his brother-vice mayor, supported the move of school officials asking for the head of the director of the Bohol Island State University Cogtong Campus. The LGU officials who also included V-Mayor Rey Amora were asking for the transfer of BISU Director Arnulfo Cimagala Olandria saying that the school official was running the institution in ‘mafia-like fashion'. At least seven deans of college and 19 administrative officers and faculty members of a Bohol Island State University campus outside the city have come out in the open asking for the transfer of its director for alleged nepotism, corrupt practices and engaging in partisan political activities. The petition asking for the transfer of was submitted to chair William Medrano of the Commission on Higher Education-Manila and CHED 7 director Amelia Maglete during the Board of Regents meeting held here in the city, Wednesday.

A “mafia” allegedly composed of family members, relatives and close friends have taken control of the state university Candijay campus for seven years and only the director's transfer could let the faculty and staff move on for the betterment of the institution, the petition said. The signatories declared that they support the move for Olandria's transfer despite the threat of being stripped of their positions or summarily discharged of their duties. Serious accusations against Olandria include appointment of relatives to key teaching and administrative position without passing the screening process, against more competent and qualified personnel; making working scholars do laundry, cooking and do chores in his own household.

The petition also cited alleged corrupt practices, such as projects implemented for personal interest of which the transaction and biddings of materials are questionable; collection and wasting schools funds as a result of constructing facilities without architectural planning and design, and demolishing them later on. Air-conditioned rooms, tennis court, internet connections are allegedly not enjoyed by majority of the students while the director's families and aides are using it. These aides are allegedly employed purposely to serve as “eyes and ears” to spy on those who are against the campus director's management. The Sunday POST was furnished a copy of the petition yesterday.

SUPPORT SNOWBALLS

Barangay officials and the municipal council have also joined the move asking for the transfer of Olandria out of the BISU Candijay Campus. In Resolution No 18, Series of 2010, unanimously approved by the Sangguniang Bayan of Candijay on July 27, 2010, the council elevated the issue to the Office of the CHED Commissioner William Medrano - Manila, in his capacity as Chairman of the BISU Board of Trustees and to Dr. Elpedio Magante, as BISU President, reiterating the same request for Olandria's transfer outside Candijay. The Liga ng mga Barangay, (formerly ABC) Candijay Chapter, also came out with a similar resolution, citing partisan activities during the last May 2010 Automated Elections wherein the BISU director, allegedly, allowed the use of school premises and facilities for political meetings, production of campaign materials using school supplies for his kagawad-candidate-son Arnielo Olandria and coercing casual employees to join political motorcade, rallies against their will.

PROTECTED?

A faculty member said the problems within the BISU-Candijay Campus have been going on for a long time and they have relayed the same to the President's Office for his information and appropriate action but “nothing has been done” up to this time. A source said, Olandria is very close to the BISU President and enjoys special accommodation when in the city. He and his family is allegedly allowed to use for several nights' stay the university air-conditioned rooms of the Hotel and Restaurant Management Technology Department inside the BISU main campus, located in the city. HRMT students are allegedly ordered to serve the Olandrias like hotel guests. A BISU official, requesting anonymity, also said the problems in Candijay have been known since the old Central Visayas State College of Agriculture, Fisheries and Technology (CVSCAFT) systems' administration time, for years now, but he also wonders why there is no action taken on the matter.

Supposedly, a Grievance Committee headed by the personnel officer is mandated to hear such problems and the BISU Main Campus regularly holds Administrative Council meetings but the Olandria case was never heard of, the source added. Reports said, the alleged “protection system” inside BISU have demoralized many teachers, and some of them have decided to leave or avail the early retirement package offered by the government. Another BISU source confirmed that Olandria was also transferred out of his assignment as college director of the former CVSCAFT Clarin campus, due to the same discord with the faculty, parents and the students.

ANSWER

Asking for his comments on the allegation that “somebody is protecting somebody”, BISU President Elpedio Magante, who was in Manila but was contacted through his cellphone Friday afternoon, said: “Olandria is protected by the BISU Law.” Magante told the Post to get a copy of the law from his secretary but did not elaborate further. He promised to give his comment upon his return but up until yesterday, the BISU President had not done the requested return call for his comments on the Candijay faculty petition. The POST was also able to contact the BISU-Candijay Campus administration office Friday afternoon but Director Olandria's secretary said he was in the city attending a meeting. A check at the BISU-Tagbilara main campus revealed that the director indeed was in the city but was attending another meeting with officials of TESDA. The POST waited up till press time last night for the requested return call from director Olandria for his comments of the petition against him, but none came. However, this paper reserves a space for the director when and if he decides to give his side on the issue.