COTABATO CITY, Nov.11 (PNA) – The appointment of a cabinet member who earned the ire of politicians in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for rejecting their recommendees to education department has been confirmed today by the ARMM Commission on Appointments (CA).
The 24-member Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA), the region’s law-making body, sitting as CA, confirmed Wednesday the appointment of Dr. John Magno as secretary of Department of Education (DepEd-ARMM).
Present during Magno’ confirmation as DepEd head was witnessed by senior education officials from across ARMM.
Magno, a psychologist, was appointed by ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman early this year as DepEd after Lawyer Jamar Kulayan resigned to pursue another career.
Since assuming as DepEd secretary, Magno has been active in pushing for Gov. Hataman’s reform agenda for DepEd, previously known as the most corrupt agency because of “ghost” teachers, students, schools and employees.
During the previous ARMM administration, DepEd-ARMM was mismanaged and graft ridden, including proliferation of padded payrolls for “ghost” teachers and employees.
During Magno’s term, teachers and employees have never experienced delays in salaries and other monetary benefits due them.
He cleansed the agency with corrupt employees, more known as “15-30” employees and underground financial transactions.
He led the eradication of corrupt education officials, after due process, in the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
Magno bravely but politely rejected recommendations of politicians in the region of teachers who are not board passers and were not qualified to teach.
Some political leaders were after his head due to his hard stance on irregularities in the DepEd. They even vowed to block the confirmation of his appointment.
However, during confirmation hearings at the RLA, no opposition from political leaders was forwarded.
One education official opposed Magno’s appointment but it was overruled by the lawmakers for lack of grounds. (PNA)