Palace urged to appoint ‘younger, pro-student’ CHED chair

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday urged Malacañang to appoint a “younger and more dynamic” chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) following the resignation of Patricia Licuanan.

Gatchalian said the new chairperson should also be “genuingely pro-student.”

“Dr. Licuanan’s resignation presents an opportunity to appoint a younger, more dynamic CHED chair who is more sensitive to the struggles and aspirations of the students,” the senator said in a statement.

“I urge the President to appoint a genuinely pro-student CHED chair – one who whole-heartedly supports the Free Higher Education Law, and is ready to fight the unjust imposition of additional costs which threaten the right of all Filipinos to quality and accessible education at all levels.”

Gatchalian said Licuanan’s sudden exit from CHED should not have a negative impact on the free college policy that will be implemented next school year.

Licuanan announced her resignation in a flag ceremony on Monday. According to her, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea called her over the weekend asking her to resign.

Senator Bam Aquino, meanwhile, called Licuanan a “dependable ally” of higher education.

“We thank Chairperson Licuanan for her immeasurable service to Filipino students and for all her help in crafting the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act,” Aquino said.

“At the same time, we call on Malacañang to appoint an immediate replacement with the ability and the will to effectively implement this critical reform,” he added. —Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/KBK, GMA News