For 'bungling' selection of president, Yasay sues CPU top officials
Yasay
The controversy surrounding the selection of a new president of the Central Philippine University (CPU) was thrown wide open yesterday after former school chairman Perfecto "Jun" Yasay Jr. sued top officials of the university.
In a 23-page civil complaint filed before the Iloilo Regional Trial Court, Yasay petitioned the court to nullify the selection of Dr. Teodoro Robles as the new university president.
Yasay, former chair the Securities and Exchange Commission, also asked the court to nullify the September 18, 2008 special meeting of the CPU Corporation where Robles' appointment was confirmed. Robles is set to assume office on November 1.
The corporation meeting and all actions taken during the meeting were "null and void" because these were allegedly done in violation of the corporation's code and by-laws, according to Yasay, who is among the alumni representatives to the 65-member corporation.
He also petitioned for the dissolution of the school's Management Committee (Mancom), a three-member interim governing body created by the BOT until the new president assumes office.
Named respondents were CPU's Board of Trustees; Dr. Alfonso Uy, BOT chair; lawyer Zacarias Bedona, secretary; and Mancom members Dr. Agustin Pulido, Dr. Andresito Millamena and Engr. Alfredo Mombay.
Yasay is also seeking a temporary restraining order and injunction against the respondents.
Lawyer Von Lovel Bedona, president of the CPU Alumni Association and ex-officio member of the BOT, said they will not issue a statement until they have received a copy of the complaint.
But he said he is standing by the decision and actions of the BOT.
"The election of (Teodoro Robles) was regular and no violation of laws and by-laws whatsoever was committed," Bedona said in a telephone interview.
Yasay said the special meeting of the corporation and all actions taken during the meeting should be voided because as member of corporation, he was given the required 10 days notice before the meeting.
He said he was unable to return from the US and attend the meeting because he only received the notice on September 15 or three days before the meeting. He had requested the meeting to be postponed but this was not heeded.
Yasay said he had nothing personal against Robles because he was the most qualified among those selected for the post but pointed out that the selection was irregular.
"He is a victim of a flawed selection process," Yasay said in a press conference yesterday.
In his petition, Yasay also asked the court to order the dissolution of the Mancom, claiming that the creation of the body violated the corporation's by-laws.
He also asked for the reinstatement of Acanto on a hold-over capacity until a new president is elected and assumes office following the correct process.
The controversy erupted after the the school failed to elect a new president to succeed Acanto whose term ended last March 31, 2008 and extended until July 3 this year.
Some alumni groups of the school also questioned the creation of the Mancom which they claimed violated the corporation's by-laws.
Yasay defended his actions and its ramifications to the university, one of the oldest and prestigious in the country.
"The action I have taken will not affect the quality of service and quality of education offered by CPU. I was forced to file the complaint because of the nagging issues confronting the university today," he said.
He said that if left unresolved, the controversy "can cause adverse effects to quality of service of the university."
Yasay also denied allegations that he is interested in becoming the school president.
"I am not after position. I was among those first offered with the post but I immediately declined. I have more pressing matters to deal with," he said.