The Department of Education (DepEd) has ordered the 90-day preventive suspension of three senior officials in Palawan after finding a prima facie case linking them to an alleged “items-for-sale scheme” that monetized appointments and promotions in the schools division.
In a formal charge dated August 15, 2025, the suspended officials were identified as Elsie T. Barrios, Schools Division Superintendent of Palawan; Alfredo D. Labor, principal of Brooke’s Point National High School; and HJ. Sonny Boy A. Taha, Public Schools District Supervisor in Bataraza II.
They face accusations of dishonesty, oppression, grave misconduct, and receiving for personal use a fee, gift, or other valuable thing in the course of official duties. The order, signed by Atty. Ray L. Javier, Undersecretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs, described their alleged acts as “conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and violation of Sections 3(b) and 3(e) of Republic Act 3019.”
Investigators alleged that the officials “requested, required, collected, and accepted money in exchange for the approval of appointments, transfers, and promotions in SDO Palawan” and “facilitated the appointments, transfers, and promotions of DepEd personnel in SDO Palawan that are based on monetary consideration, and not on the merits and qualifications of the individuals involved.”
The Department stressed that there exists “a prima facie case” against the respondents, justifying their immediate suspension while proceedings are underway.
The officials were given five days from receipt of the charge to submit their written answers and evidence. Failure to respond, the order warned, “shall be considered to have waived their right.”
DepEd also directed its Records Division to serve copies of the charge on the respondents, record them in their personnel files, and forward documents to the regional office in MIMAROPA.
Proof of service must be filed within three days.
