PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) president Elba Cruz to vacate her post, saying her hold-over capacity expired on June 30.
Executive Secretary Medialdea, in a letter dated December 18, relayed to Cruz that her job as DAP chief was terminated "effective immediately."
"Considering that your Term of Office expired on 30 June 2017 and that you have been serving in DAP Board in a holdover capacity, we now wish to inform you that, upon instructions of the President, your service in such holdover status is hereby discontinued effective immediately," Medialdea said.
"To ensure uninterrupted delivery, you are hereby directed to turn over all official documents, papers and properties in your possession to the proper office of the DAP," the letter added.
Duterte issued the directive following the plea of DAP employees to Duterte to remove Cruz from office.
The DAP Personnel Association had accused Cruz of "lacking the knowledge, the temperament, and the behavior necessary to lead any organization or government organization."
They also alleged that Cruz blatantly violated existing government rules and regulations, noting that she was travelling abroad every month that led to DAP's deprivation of "official time to physically manage the Academy."
In a joint statement released Wednesday, December 20, DAP employees said Cruz's termination was the President's "best Christmas gift."
"Employees of the Development Academy of the Philippines today thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for finally terminating Atty. Elba S. Cruz as DAP president, saying it is the best Christmas gift they can receive," the statement read. (Ruth Abbey Gita / VoxPop Philippines)