In a joint virtual press conference with representatives from the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and the Games and Amusement Board (GAB), CHED chief Popoy de Vera stressed that NU and UST will have to explain why they should not be sanctioned.

“In so far as violations of CHED advisories are concerned, show-cause orders will be issued to NU and UST demanding them to explain why sanctions should not be imposed on its officers, teaching, and non-teaching personnel for its failure to comply with the guidelines of CHED,” De Vera said. 

“The intention of the show-cause order is to ensure there is due process in the investigation,” De Vera added. 

The report of the investigation has also been submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), who will study to determine if the universities violated the rules of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).

De Vera stressed that further investigations will be done by the DOJ and the DILG as there may have been local ordinances or travel restrictions violated when the teams went to the provinces for their training camps.

“That is why there is a show-cause order. That is why we’re submitting the fact-finding to the DOJ and DILG, so they can look at the alleged violations in the context of the IATF rules. It is too early to conclude, because what has been completed is the fact-finding portion. It’s up to the DOH and DILG to probe into this deeper,” De Vera said. 

De Vera clarified that as early as March, the commission already ordered higher education institutions in Luzon to arrange for the immediate departure of their students, faculty, and staff to their hometowns. 

Last May, the commission also issued an advisory prohibiting schools to conduct mass gatherings including ceremonies and sports activities.