Teachers urge officials in laptop controversy to resign, take a leave of absence – Manila Bulletin

To demonstrate “delicacy,” a group of teachers urged officials involved in the purchase of overpriced laptops to vacate their respective posts through courtesy resignation or filing a leave of absence.

“While no formal charges have yet been filed against the said officials, their temporary vacating their respective positions would demonstrate delicacy and may restore some of the lost confidence in our justice system,” the Teachers Dignity Coalition (TDC) said in a statement issued Jan . 24

TDC is calling on the officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Budget and Management-Procurement Service (DBM-PS) – whose names figured in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC) report in connection to the purchase of overpriced laptops for teachers — file a leave of absence or tender their resignation.

The group pointed out that the findings of the BRC are “not conclusive” and the recommendation to file a case in the courts is the proper way to initiate a deeper investigation and bring the responsible individuals to justice.

“Let them have their day in court,” TDC said.

Moreover, TDC stressed that if someone is found guilty, justice would be served – for the teachers, the students, and the people who contributed their hard-earned money to government taxes to realize the purchase of these laptops.

“Somebody must be held accountable; the lost money must be returned to government coffers and the proven culprits must be jailed,” the group added.