Raps vs Laoag City DepEd chief reaches reg’l office

By Dominic B. dela Cruz

Staff reporter

Laoag City—The complaint letter against Laoag City schools division superintendent Dr. Joel B. Lopez has reached the Dept. of Education’s Region I office.

The complaint details alleged corruption and abuse of authority against Mr. Lopez.

The letter, which the unknown writer/s also furnished The Ilocos Times, has also reportedly reached Education Sec. Leonor M. Briones. The letter has a date of April 27, 2018.

The letter alleges that Mr. Lopez “demands and accepts amount of money in return for favors, like appointments for promotions”.

It also stated that Mr. Lopez allegedly “demands percentage from winning bidders/contractors and labelling the amount for ‘the bereaved family’ as cover up.”

The letter writer/s, which went by the name “Concerned Ilocanos”, also accuses Mr. Lopez of “selective hiring”, as he allegedly favors applicants that also belong to his religious affiliation.

On top of these, it also claimed that Mr. Lopez of forcing government employees to work at his house as a carpenter.

The “Concerned Ilocanos” asks Ms. Briones for “thorough investigation” and to transfer Mr. Lopez outside Laoag City and Ilocos Norte.

The letter also contained an attachment of a private message conversation between Mr. Lopez and a certain Lucena Sales.

In the conversation, Mrs. Sales asked Mr. Lopez about her son Stephen Mar Sales’ application to become a watchman at the Ilocos Norte National High School.

“Gud pm we just had our mancom meeting…..by the way some marawi kids and aders who needed assistance are very happy wid ur donations….God bless”. Mr. Lopez allegedly replied.

“Sir for your information that money that I gave u is not for the marawi victims but its is for u who needed it most,” Mrs. Sales replied.

INHHS later did not hire Mrs. Sales’ son, as he was only fifth in the applicants’ ranking.

Reacting to this, Mr. Lopez said: “This is not new. Ammuk daytoy nga threat kaniyak”.

He added: “I stand to do the right thing and not to be intimidated by black mail.”

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