BUTUAN CITY (MindaNews/29 May) — Tension gripped a foreign-funded college run by a Christian foundation here after the school president whose term expired on May 12 refused to vacate his post when the newly installed officer-in-charge tried to take over days ago.
David Cariaga, former school president of the Sunrise Christian College (SCC) in Barangay Bonbon here, refused to accept the appointment of Merare Garovillo as officer-in charge.
Cariaga said he will not recognize the appointment of Garovillo issued by Conrado Evangelista, chairman of the Sunrise Christian College Foundation, Inc (SCCFI) for lack of proper consultation. He said the SCCFI board of trustees has been “inactive” for so many years.
In his letter dated May 5 to Cariaga, Evangelista said: “Thank you for your services and sacrifices as school president of the Sunrise Christian College in the 1-year term given you by the board last May 8, 2011 and which will end May 7, 2012”.
He added that Cariaga is “welcome to apply “for the same post but must undergo the selection process and submit his application letter and curriculum vitae.
In a press statement, Evangelista said “we have started the process of forming an experienced management team to be on the frontline in taking on the gargantuan challenge ahead of us.”
“We want this team to hit the ground gunning. Therefore, we have selected an officer-in-charge,” he said.
The statement added that “the American brothers of the Church of Christ have pledged their support to our school for the next three years. However, within the said period of time we must transform the Sunrise Chrustian College into a self-sustainable educational institution.”
Roman Cariaga, father of David and founder and first president of the school, called Garovillo a traitor and his move “unchristian”.
The SCC started as a bible school of the Church of Christ located at T. Calo Street. It became a foundation in 1994.
Garovillo was reportedly pushed out of the school president’s office when he presented on Friday his appointment as officer-in-charge.
According to Lawyer Efren Genesis, SCCFI legal counsel, David Cariaga and his father “uttered bad words “ at Garovillo and ordered him out of the office.
“I did not resist when I was pushed out of the office since I have no other intention but only to present my appoint papers duly signed by the foundation chairman,” Garovillo said in an interview.
Garovillo, a former administrative officer of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Ilo-ilo, was earlier hired by the Cariagas to be part of the school’s administrative personnel. (Alden Pantaleon/MindaNews)
