|
Wednesday, June 25, 2003
Ex-Ateneo teacher sues university
By Nelson C. Bagaforo
A FORMER instructor at the Jesuit-run Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) has filed charges of illegal dismissal against the university, its president, and the acting dean of the college where she taught.
Former AdDU faculty Helen Lagura claimed she was "unceremoniously, arbitrarily, unconscionably, unchristianly terminated" by the university three years after she had been teaching there. The dismissal came even as Lagura met all the established standards to qualify as regular employee.
Named respondents in Lagura's complaint filed before the National Labor Relations Commission on June 18 are: the Ateneo de Davao University, AdDU president Fr. Edmundo Martinez S.J. and School of Business and governance-Accountancy Program OIC-dean Jose Isagani Lacson.
In a 12-page complaint, Lagura demands for the following: reinstatement as AdDU faculty member and being given a permanent status having been qualified as such; payment of full back wages from the time of her dismissal up to actual reinstatement; payment of P3 million in moral damages, and another P3 million in exemplary damages.
Lagura claimed she received a "short letter" dated February terminating her employment without any apparent reasons effective March 31, 2003, her third year in service as probationary employee. Had she been allowed to continue teaching, she would have already completed the maximum required probationary period inclusive of the one-year extension and was thus already qualified as a regular instructor.
The letter, signed by Lacson, was sent thru mail addressed to Lagura's residence at Coco St. Phase 2, Kadayawan Homes, NHA in Bangkal, Davao City.
"By terminating (Lagura's) employment effective on the day when she would have been eligible for regular status, (AdDU) deprived (her) of qualifying as a regular employee with its concomitant rights and privileges..." the complaint states.
Lagura, graduated cum laude at University of Immaculate Concepcion-La Salle and a certified public accountant, started teaching at AdDU in the summer of April-May 2000 as a part-time faculty member. She was granted full-time probationary appointment the following school semester until her dismissal on March 31.
During her teaching stint at AdDU, Lagura claimed she never received reprimand from school administrators for any lapses in her work, acts of incompetence, complaints and negative comments.
The complainant even earned a Master's Degree in Business Administration from AdDU Graduate Schools where she graduated With Distinction on April 12, 2002 to further satisfy the requirements for qualification for permanent status.
(June 25, 2003 issue)
Want Sun.Star news on your mobile phone? Click here.
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[ return
to top ]
[ home
]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
