Board Member Ryan Maminta has brought to the Department of Education (DepEd) a copy of the Sangguiang Panlalawigan’s resolution seeking the suspension of Palawan Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Elsie Barrios.
Maminta said Friday morning that he personally spoke to Undersecretary Peter Irving Corvera, who assured him the department will take action. The copy was received by DepEd on August 15, 2025.
“They will act on this,” Maminta said, noting DepEd is just waiting for some documents and verified reports before it begins the process involved.
Items and transfers for sale “are really happening on the ground, according to Maminta, albeit they have lately ceased because of the attention they have received.
“Tumigil sila ngayon, pero hindi naman ibig sabihin na tapos na. Baka naman nagpapalamig. Noon ngang nakaraan nagpalamig lang sila,” he added.
The measure, Provincial Resolution No. 21131, Series of 2025, was unanimously approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on July 29.
It requests Education Secretary Juan Edgardo M. Angara to immediately suspend Barrios in view of the ongoing investigation into the alleged “items and transfer for sale” scheme in the division.
Authored by Maminta, Winston G. Arzaga, Rafael V. Ortega Jr., Juan Antonio E. Alvarez, Al-Nashier M. Ibba, Marivic H. Roxas, Roseller S. Pineda, Ariston D. Arzaga, Ferdinand P. Zaballa, Christian A. Palanca, and Luzviminda L. Bautista, the resolution cites the Department of Education’s constitutional mandate “to provide quality, accessible, relevant, and liberating education for all Filipinos, upholding the highest standards of public accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct among its officials and personnel.”
It further states that DepEd operates under a firm “Zero Tolerance Policy Against Corruption,” condemning “pay-for-position” schemes and all forms of corruption in personnel actions to ensure integrity, accountability, and proper discharge of duties.
The provincial board noted that for almost a year, grave allegations have persisted regarding the unauthorized sale of teaching positions in the Schools Division of Palawan, calling it a breach of meritocracy, transparency, and fairness in public service appointments.
According to the resolution, the alleged sales “constitute an extremely severe form of corruption, involving potential bribery, extortion, and grave abuse of authority, and impose undue financial burdens on aspiring educators and undermine the integrity of the entire educational system.”
It said these acts are direct violations of civil service laws and DepEd policies on recruitment, selection, and placement.
The document alleges that such practices occurred under the watch of Barrios, indicating “a severe and prolonged failure” to address them, and possibly violating Republic Act No. 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
“Whether she’s involved or not, since this is her command responsibility, she has to move to resolve it. She has to address the issue,” Maminta pointed out.
It also warned that her continued presence during the investigation “poses a significant risk of her influencing the investigation, intimidating witnesses, or exerting undue pressure on teachers and other personnel under her authority, thereby impeding the truth-finding process and jeopardizing the integrity of the inquiry.”
