Mr Canivel is NOT the President of PWC – Press Release 1

PWC of Davao Employees “Mourn”

March 31, 2023

Wearing black today, majority of the employees of the Philippine Women’s College (PWC) of Davao stage a silent protest against usurpation of power in what is supposed to be a very peaceful institution.
As PWC celebrates its 70th founding anniversary this year, the once-quiet school has become the center of controversy when a renegade portion of its Board of Trustees (BOT) allegedly appointed a “President” that the employees and stakeholders do not recognize. At the center of this is the self-appointed president, Mr. Emmanuel Canivel, who is also a member of the BOT. He claims to be backed by two other members of the Board, mother and son tandem of Ruby and Tomas Julio Benitez in a signed memorandum addressed to the employees.
They said that they would have remained on the sideline had it not been to the recent actions of Canivel’s group. Among this include the withholding of the employees’ salary, putting up of a new set of armed security personnel, and harassment to let them feel the power. One employee who requested to remain anonymous said that Ms. Gina Bequiso, who unashamedly expressed that salaries are being withheld and even remarked that they can bring the matter to any office. Ms. Bequiso’s probationary status as Finance Head ended earlier but she was rehired supposedly by Mr. Canivel.
The PWC employees thought that such intra-corporate dispute would remain among the BOT members but they were overtaken by events that have dragged them down affecting the smooth operation of the school and scheduled classes. They said that the events have gravely affected their morale.
Meanwhile, BOT Chair Ms. Elizabeth San Pedro Lietz, earlier issued a statement to clarify to all stakeholders that the status quo has to be maintained. This means that the current organizational setup of the PWC of Davao should continue until issues have been resolved; thereby making Prof. Vicente Antonio V. Pijano III, the current Chancellor and COO, the legitimate officer of the school. This strengthens the non-recognition of the employees of a new president.