Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Schools Division of Cebu City

July 26, 2023

DR. RAYLENE B. MANAWATAO

Chief,
Curriculum Implementation Division (CID)
Department of Education
Schools Division of Cebu City

Dear Dr. Manawatao:

Greetings of peace and solidarity!

This pertains to the 2nd Indorsement received from the Office of the Regional Director
of the Department of Education (DepEd), Dr. Salustiano T. Jimenez JD, EdD, CESO
V, regarding an Indorsement from the Office of the Ombudsman, asking for a
Comment on the anonymous complaint which reads:

x x x This is to complain the DepEd Division of Cebu City, Cebu of GRAFT for
not providing the schools with the complete modules for our students to study and
answer. My child has only received 2-4 modules in all subjects even though there
are about 8-10 modules per subject to learn with. My child’s teachers were keep on
promising of the unhandled modules but until now it didn’t happen and we had
knew that the modules arrived after the end of the school year already. These all
constitutes GRAFT since this will tantamount to waste of time and resources of the
government and would invite corruption x x x

In view thereof, may I please request your good office to be informed of the
abovementioned concern, and please endeavor to delegate any DepEd personnel who has
personal knowledge with respect to the issue at hand – the act of providing modules to
our learners. Accordingly, may I please request the representative from DepEd – CID to
provide a complete and verified Reply/Comment in view of the allegations. Please submit
to the Office of the Legal Unit the complete and verified Reply/Comment within a
reasonable period of time. A scanned copy of the concrete action in response to the
allegations should be submitted to the e-mail address pac.ro7@deped.gov.ph and please
furnish a copy to villabasvilpa4f@yahoo.com

Moreover, please be advised that pursuant to Administrative Order No. 07, as amended,
otherwise known as The Rules of Procedure of the Office of the Ombudsman, the Office
of the Ombudsman can entertain anonymous complaints. A complaint which does not
disclose the identity of the complainant will be acted upon only if it merits appropriate
consideration, or contains sufficient leads or particulars to enable the taking of further
action.

Once the Curriculum Implementation Division (CID) has provided substantial action in
response to the inquiry and/or concern, please inform DepEd – Office of the Legal Unit
as soon as possible. Kindly attach proof that the representative from DepEd – CID was
able to submit a complete and verified Reply and/or Comment.

Address : New Imus Avenue, Barangay Day-as, Cebu City 6000

Email Address : cebu.city@deped.gov.ph
On the basis of the rule of law (i.e. doctrine of exhaustion of administrative remedies), we
have to allow the school authorities of Department of Education – Schools Division of
Cebu City to carry out their functions and discharge their responsibilities within the
specialized areas of their respective competence. The rationale for this principle is
obvious. It entails lesser expenses and provides for the speedier resolution of
controversies. Good faith, comity, convenience also impel the undersigned legal officer
to shy away from a dispute until the system of administrative redress has been completed.

Thank you very much for your generous cooperation, and I look forward to working
collaboratively with you to resolve this matter. May God bless all your endeavors!

Respectfully yours,

ATTY. VILPA P. VILLABAS

Attorney III

Copy furnished to:

DR. NIMFA D. BONGO, EdD, CESO V

Schools Division Superintendent
Office of the Schools Division Superintendent
Department of Education
Schools Division of Cebu City

MR. ADOLF A. AGUILAR

Officer-In-Charge
Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
Department of Education
Schools Division of Cebu City

Address : New Imus Avenue, Barangay Day-as, Cebu City 6000

Email Address : cebu.city@deped.gov.ph