It is highly likely that the Board of Regents will commence the search for a new president of the Catanduanes State University following the designation of an officer-in-charge last week.
In its 223rd Special Meeting on Oct. 9, 2024, the Board selected Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Bicol Regional Director Atty. Septon A. dela Cruz as OIC to replace the university’s 7th president, Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza, who was considered resigned when he filed his candidacy for governor a day earlier.
Reliable reports state that three candidates for OIC were considered by the board: the CHED director, Executive Vice President and College of Agriculture and Fisheries (CAF) Dean Dr. Roberto A. Barba, and Graduate School Dean Dr. Art Tabirara.
The two CatSU officials were reportedly recommended by the former president to the Board.
It is claimed that during the first round of voting, both Dr. Barba and Atty. de la Cruz got three (3) votes each, with Dr. Tabirara receiving the nod of two Regents, notably Congressman Eulogio Rodriguez and Alumni Regent Atty. Ramil Joselito Tamayo.
With the CHED Commissioner and board chairperson having voted already for Atty. dela Cruz, she called for a second round of voting to break the tie.
This time, the CHED director got four (4) votes to earn the designation from the BOR while Dr. Barba had three (3) nods.
An insider, however, claimed that aside from Barba and Tabirara, one other name originally submitted to the BOR for consideration was that of Dr. Kristian Q. Aldea, the Assistant Vice President for Research, Extension and Production Affairs (REPA).
It could not be determined as of press time why Aldea’s name did not come up during the first round of voting for OIC.
The following day after the BOR meeting, the CHED regional director arrived at the CatSU campus where he met with the management, including deans, directors and unit heads, for updates on their offices and key issues.
It is the second time in four years that a CHED official has taken charge of the university, after then Dir. Freddie T. Bernal who assumed office as OIC on August 1, 2020 when then Pres. Minerva I. Morales stepped down upon reaching the age of 65.
Bernal served in that capacity until June 24, 2021 when Azanza formally became president. A year later, he was succeeded at the Bicol post by Atty. dela Cruz, who was then director of the Administrative, Financial, and Management Services (AFMS) division at CHED Central Office.
Pursuant to Section 9 of Republic Act 10229, the Board of Regents shall designate an OIC within six months from the date of the vacancy in the Office of the President due to death, compulsory retirement, resignation, removal for cause or incapacity to perform the functions of the office.
With still nine months more to go before Azanza’s term is supposed to end, the BOR is likely to begin the process of selecting a new president and at the same time see the OIC serve out the unexpired term, with the chosen one to begin his term on June 25, 2025.
During his first meeting with university officials, OIC dela Cruz reportedly advised those designated as key officers to remain at their posts pending a review to be conducted as soon as practicable.
A source said the CHED director’s multitude of concerns at the regional office could limit his presence at his post at CatSU.