By NITZ ARANCON, Correspondent
REP. Rufus Rodriguez of the city’s 2nd District yesterday cried foul over what he called as City Schools Division superintendent Elena Borcillo’s partisanship even as he called on Education Secretary Armin Luistro to replace the official.
Rodriguez accused Dr. Borcillo of “namolitika” or of engaging in partisan politics when she invited the mayor to address thousands of public school principals, teachers, parents-teachers association officials, and education department employees during the celebration of Teachers’ Day in the city on Monday.
Rodriguez, who is challenging Moreno’s reelection bid, also alleged that Borcillo has been openly favoring the mayor.
Reads a text message Rodriguez sent to the Education secretary on Monday: “Good morning, Secretary Luistro. In today’s Teachers’ Day Celebration, I was not invited by City School Supt. Elena Borcillo. Only Mayor Oscar Moreno and his entire line-up of candidates for the city. She has been inviting principals, teachers and PTA president(s) to give a forum for Moreno to campaign. The principals and PTA are complaining to me on her open political partisanship. She is violating the law because public officials should not be involved in partisan politics.”
A copy of the text message was sent to this paper by Rodriguez himself.
Rodriguez continued: “In order not to drag the Deped (Department of Education) to political partisanship, may I request that she be relieved and another neutral superintendent be appointed in her stead. Thanks. Rufus.”
The congressman said Luistro replied to his text message but he did not say how the secretary responded.
He said he sent another text message, and it reads: “Thanks, Sec. Armin, for your immediate reply. I am appealing to you because I am one of Deped’s strong vocal supporters in Congress. Deped teachers are national employees, and yet as congressman, I was not invited to this morning’s Teachers Day…”
Rodriguez said Borcillo, violated sa Civil Service Law “kay nasulat diha nga any appointed government official and employee should refrain or not engage in partisan politics.”
The celebration, held at the Limketkai Atrium, was attended by some four thousand people. It was also graced by former mayor and Senate president Aquilino Pimentel Jr..
“Usa ra ka grupo ang iyang gi-imbitar ni Dr. Borcillo. Dili maayo paminawon kay klaro kana nga namolitika siya,” said Rodriguez.
He said he had no problem with Moreno being invited by Dr. Borcillo “kay natural siya man ang amahan sa atong syudad” as long as he, too, was also invited being the congressman of the city’s 2nd District.
Rodriguez said it was the first time for him not to be invited to grace the Teachers’ Day celebration in the city.
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