CITY COUNCIL DIVIDED OVER ANONYMOUS COMPLAINT AGAINTS ‘GO AND LEAD’ PROGRAM (PART 1)

November 30, 2024 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY

A debate erupted within the Baguio City Council during the regular session on November 25, 2024 over an
anonymous letter assailing the GO & LEAD Program conducted by the Schools Division Office-Baguio. The GO & LEAD Program is a five-month professional development training designed to empower school heads and enhance education in Baguio City. The program is made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Office of Congressman Mark Go, DepEd-Baguio, the Australian Government in the Philippines, the Philippine Business for Education, and Global Resources for Assessment Curriculum and Evaluation (GRACE).

The program is unique to Baguio City but aligns with DepEd’s goals of training school heads for professional development. The topics under this program were based on a needs survey conducted among school heads. ‘We Remain’ – a Curious Case of Anonimity The anonymous letter, bearing the pen name “We Remain” and addressed to Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan, alleged that Officer-in-Charge Schools Division Superintendent (OIC SDS) Soraya Faculo had exerted excessive authority by enforcing participation in the GO & LEAD Program even at the expense of other DepEd activities, resulting in disruptions in schools, particularly during critical times like final exams.

The sender also accused Faculo of sidelining DepEd programs and priorities such as professional development and
centralized assessments in favor of external initiatives like the GRACE assessment which the sender alleged is associated with Go’s family. Furthermore, the letter raised claims of violations of DepEd testing guidelines, abuse of authority and resources by Faculo, implementation of non-priority projects such as Khan Academy activities that detract from DepEd’s core objectives, undue political influence affecting Faculo’s appointment and decisions, and improper conduct and organization of events, including the 56th founding anniversary motorcade and awards.

The sender called on the city council members to intervene and investigate these issues as many are reportedly afraid to speak out due to Faculo’s alleged influence and connections. Upon receipt on September 25, 2024, the letter was
forwarded to Councilor Fed Bagbagen, who chairs the City Council’s Committee on Ethics, Governmental Affairs, and Personnel, for appropriate action. Bagbagen then requested a forum with DepEd-CAR, OIC SDS Faculo, and the
school heads of SDO-Baguio during the city council’s regular session. During the November 25 city council session, an extensive discussion took place to explore the issues raised in the complaint letter. However, the council members were divided on procedures and the validity of the complaint.

Councilors Debate Protocols, Anonymity, and Political Implications
Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda emphasized that the process for inviting guests was not observed, bypassing the
city council’s established protocol. She clarified that, under standard practice, a resolution to invite guests for a
forum must be approved by the city council before the forum occurs. Vice Mayor and Presiding Officer Faustino Olowan argued that the invitation does not necessarily require city council approval, asserting that it falls within the discretion of the committee chair. He also insisted on consulting the rules for clarification to verify Tabanda’s claim.

As a response, Tabanda cited Ordinance 64-2012 (Establishing the Rules and of Procedure Governing Inquiries in Aid of Legislation) which mandates that when a proposed resolution for an inquiry is submitted, the Vice Mayor or Presiding Office must refer it to the appropriate committee. If the matter is deemed urgent, the usual process of referring the resolution to a committee can be bypassed. This requires a majority vote from all council members present. In complex cases, multiple committees or the whole council may handle the inquiry.

Section 4 of the ordinance states that a complaint must be sworn to under oath to ensure the complaint’s credibility and seriousness. Through Ordinance 64-2013, the city council or its committees is empowered to hold inquiries in aid of legislation following specific rules. Inquiries may cover legislative investigations on alleged inefficiencies or corruption in government services. All inquiries, except those conducted in executive sessions, must take place at the committee level or during a regular or special session convened for this purpose.

Councilor Mylen Victoria Yaranon criticized the decision to discuss a letter from an anonymous source, asserting that it is improper for the city council to entertain unsigned complaints. Expressing her strong objection, she emphasized that the city council is placing undue importance on an unsigned letter. Olowan argued that despite being anonymous, the letter contains specific allegations and referenced names and employees. He said the city council should determine whether the claims are valid to promote transparency and accountability. He challenged the city council members to examine the situation, particularly regarding the welfare of students.

While expressing concern about the anonymity of the complainants, Olowan asserted that the facts in the complaint appear credible. He suggested that the complainants should come forward with their full names and formalize their complaint, stressing that if the allegations are true, they could negatively impact the quality of education in the city.
Councilor Fred Bagbagen questioned the acronym GO & LEAD (Generate Opportunities and Lead in Education to Accelerate Development) and raised concerns about the use of politicians’ names in public programs. He mentioned the proposed anti-epal ordinance which he authored.

This proposed ordinance seeks to discourage the use of politicians’ names in government projects as well as in public spaces. He suggested that the ordinance might need an amendment to ensure that even programs like DepEd’s initiatives do not carry the names of politicians. Councilor Arthur Allad-iw also questioned the program’s title, suggesting a possible link to local politics, especially given the involvement of Go in facilitating funding. Councilor Jose Molintas said there did not appear to be anything objectionable about the program itself, but he raised concerns about the lack of transparency and proper communication regarding its initiation.

He argued that stakeholders such as the DepEd Secretary, the Regional Director, and the Mayor’s Office should have been informed in advance to ensure that everyone could support and defend the program if necessary. Molintas stressed that transparency is crucial for crediting innovative initiatives and maintaining the city’s positive image. He said that better communication would prevent misunderstandings and allow all involved parties to explain and support the program effectively.

Jordan Habbiling/SP