Br. Francisco “Sockie” de la Rosa VI FSC officially resigned from his post as the De La Salle University – Dasmariñas (DLSU-D) President, as announced by Corporate Secretary Atty. Sinforoso Pagunsan on April 10.

According to Pagunsan, de la Rosa cited “health and personal reasons” for stepping down in a letter addressed to the Board of Trustees (BOT) dated April 4, concluding his nearly three-year tenure as University President.

Before tendering his irrevocable resignation, de la Rosa had released a letter on March 25 announcing the end of his term set on July 31, and naming Br. Iñigo Riola FSC as the next DLSU-D President.

Following this, Provost Dr. Cristina Salibay was appointed Officer in Charge until Riola formally assumes office on August 1.

Challenges faced

In an exclusive interview with The HERALDO FILIPINO, Salibay shared that one of the immediate challenges after de la Rosa’s resignation was maintaining momentum amid adjustments to evolving operational demands. To address this, she emphasized collaborative decision-making and consistent communication with key offices and departments.

“One significant adjustment was realigning administrative workflows to emphasize continuity rather than short-term fixes. I encouraged the administrators to focus on sustainability and documentation to help the incoming administration to jumpstart seamlessly,” Salibay noted.

She also acknowledged unresolved concerns such as the University’s loss of autonomous status and the completion of ongoing infrastructure projects. While these issues may not be fully addressed within her interim timeframe, she assured that they have begun initiating the necessary steps toward their resolution. 

“These issues are being carefully documented and will form part of the official transition brief and priority agenda to be handed over to Br. Iñigo. The DLSU-D community can expect continued progress, along with clearer timelines and action plans, once the new President formally assumes office,” she added.

The University President selection process

According to Salibay, the appointment of a University President follows a careful and collaborative selection process that reflects both institutional priorities and the mission of the De La Salle Brothers, based on the functions of the BOT and the established Lasallian governance structure,

“Its decision is guided and informed by the evolving needs of the University and is aligned with its mission, vision, and strategic direction. In this regard, the Brother Visitor (Br. Jose Mari ‘JJ’ Jimenez) and his Council play a pivotal role in assessing the Brother’s leadership capacity, suitability, availability, and alignment with the broader mission of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, and their strong recommendation and approval are essential to the process,” she clarified, expressing confidence that Riola was selected through this criteria. 

In terms of the selection process, the decision on the term of office of a University President is made by the Council of the De La Salle Brothers, led by the Brother Visitor. Traditionally, a Brother President serves a term of three years, which may be extended or concluded earlier depending on a range of considerations.

“The Brother Visitor, in consultation with the Council, takes into account not only the needs of the educational institutions they serve but also the broader responsibilities of the Brothers within the global Lasallian mission,” she added, noting that this process often involves reassignments or new roles, including those beyond the education sector.

Salibay’s retirement 

Once Riola assumes the presidency, Salibay shared her immediate plan “to formally initiate my retirement, as I have reached the conclusion of my tenure.”

In the meantime, she remains focused on ensuring a smooth and well-prepared handover of responsibilities, highlighting her commitment to offering transitional support during the interim period before officially stepping down.

She also expressed gratitude to the DLSU-D community “for the trust, collaboration, and resilience shown during this period of transition,” endorsing that the community will thrive under Riola’s leadership.

USG President’s response

Meanwhile, in a press conference following her last State of the University Student Government Address (SUSGA) on June 7, University Student Government (USG) President Abigail Hapal briefly commented on de la Rosa’s resignation amid student concerns.

“I’ll only say one word about this: justice. Other than that, I’m not going to comment on it… for now. Soon, I might—but not for now,” Hapal stated.

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The HERALDO FILIPINO reached out to de la Rosa for an interview last March 26 but received no response.

Originally published in Heraldo Filipino Volume 39, Issue 2