Malacañang Palace on Tuesday reminded Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) chairperson Patricia Licuanan that she was covered by Memorandum Circular No. 4 ordering all appointees of former President Benigno Aquino III to submit their courtesy resignations.

“On Aug. 22, a letter, a memorandum, a circular was given. It was asking for the courtesy resignations of presidential appointees. But when I checked with the Office of the Executive Secretary, apparently there was no letter submitted from the [CHEd chair],” said Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella.

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On Sunday, Licuanan was asked to stop attending Cabinet meetings starting Dec. 5 due to “irreconcilable differences” with President Rodrigo Duterte. Vice President Leni Robredo also received the same instruction through text message.

Licuanan said she would comply with the President’s order but she would still continue her work as head of the commission.

The CHEd chair said she had a fixed term until 2018.

Abella, however, insisted that “there was a request for a courtesy resignation.”

Asked why Duterte did not immediately issue a desist order for Licuanan, the Palace official said the President was simply being “a gentleman.”

“I suppose it implies that the President is somehow a gentleman,” he said.

Abella also said Licuanan’s absence in the Cabinet meetings would not affect the commission.

“The process continues, the commission will be supported,” he said./rga

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