To: Deputy Ministers
Assistant Secretaries
Bureau Directors
Cultural Agency Directors
Chiefs of Services and Heads of Units/Centers
Schools Superintendents
Vocational School Superintendents/Administrators
Head Executive Assistant
Chiefs of Divisions

1. Reports have been received in this Office that a number of properly executed complaints against certain MECS officials, teachers, and other employees are not promptly acted on or otherwise perfunctorily treated, thereby undermining the efforts of this Ministry to check irregular practices and rid itself of notoriously undesirable employees.
2. Regional directors and schools superintendents are reminded of rules and regulations in regard to action on disciplinary and administrative cases. They are hereby directed to immediately start appropriate administrative procedures upon receipt of a duly executed complaint against a school official or teacher, and to conduct the investigation process with dispatch. If necessary, preventive suspension of the respondent might be instituted to prevent the complainant from being harassed.
3. Attention, in this connection, is invited to paragraph (d) Section 38, Article IX, of P.D. 807, as follows:
   (d) The investigation shall be held not earlier than five days nor later than ten days from the date of receipt of respondent’s answer by the disciplining authority, and shall be finished within thirty days from the filing of the charges, unless the period is extended by the Commission in meritorious cases. The decision shall be rendered by the disciplining authority within thirty days from the termination of the investigation or submission of the report of the investigator, which report shall be submitted within fifteen days from the conclusion of the investigation.
4. This Office views with deep regret and displeasure the possibility that certain perpetrators of irregularities in the system still remain in office because of the indifference or lack of seriousness of responsible officials in handling legitimate complaints.
5. This Office hopes that the issuances of stern warning or administration of sanctions would not be necessary in order to goad officials concerned into prompt action on matters like complaints.

Reference: None
Allotment: 1-2-3—(D.O. 1-76)

To be indicated in the Perpetual Index under the following subjects:
BUREAUS AND OFFICES
COMPLAINTS
EMPLOYEES
LEGISLATION
OFFICIALS
RULES AND REGULATIONS
TEACHERS

DO_s1985_31