Gives up DepEd, ELCAC posts

By Jocelyn Montemayor and Ashzel Hachero

VICE President Sara Duterte resigned from the Marcos Cabinet yesterday, quitting her posts as education secretary and vice chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said the President accepted Duterte’s resignation from the Cabinet and thanked her for her service. She remains as vice president.

“At 2:21 p.m. of 19 June 2024, Vice President Sara Duterte went to Malacanang and tendered her resignation as Member of the Cabinet, Secretary of the Department of Education and Vice Chairperson of the NTF Elcac, effective 19 July 2024. She declined to give a reason why. She will continue to serve as Vice President. We thank her for her service,” Garafil said.

Sara’s resignation effectively put the final nail in the coffin of the Uniteam alliance that propelled her and President Marcos Jr. to a landslide win in the 2022 elections.

In a press briefing, Sara did not give any reason for her decision, talking mostly about the programs she implemented since she assumed the DepEd post in 2022.

She said her resignation was effective yesterday but has given a 30-day notice to pave the way for a proper and orderly transition to whoever the President would name to replace her.

Senate minority leader Aquilino Pimentel III said the President should “immediately prepare” to appoint the next DepEd secretary, preferably someone who has worked with or in the department for decades.

“Someone who has dedicated his or her life to education and can show the track record for it,” Pimentel said.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers said Duterte’s resignation is a welcome development for the education sector.

“She is one thorn less in the side of the teachers and the education sector. She has not resolved any of the problems of education, instead incessantly red-tagged ACT for our demands for more teachers and classrooms,” ACT said in a statement, adding that Duterte never sided with their calls for salary increase and better benefits.

“She has only used the education post to boost her political viability, but she failed as her programs like the MATATAG agenda were problematic to begin with. She has no legacy to speak of and will only be remembered for red-tagging, CIF and bankrupt policies,” the group added.

ACT also said that Sara’s resignation only indicates the worsening rift between the Marcos and Duterte camps.

“Whoever replaces her has a big mess to clean up, but we have learned not to place our hopes on politicians and government officials.”

Before her resignation as education secretary, Duterte hogged the headlines due to controversies surrounding her confidential and intelligence funds.

There had also been calls for the Vice President to resign from the Marcos Cabinet amid the criticisms and remarks made by her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, against President Marcos and his administration.

First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos had also claimed that the Vice President was not in good standing (“bad shot”) with her.

NOT WEAKNESS

In a press conference shortly after Malacanang’s announcement, the Vice President confirmed that she had met with Marcos and tendered her resignation effective July 19.

Sara stressed that her decision to resign was not a sign of weakness.

“Mga kababayan, ang aking pagbibitiw ay hindi lulan ng kahinaan kundi dala ng tunay na malasakit para sa ating mga guro at kabataang Pilipino (My resignation is not a sign of weakness, but was brought about by my genuine concern for our teachers and the Filipino youth),” she said.

She added that while she is no longer the education secretary, she would continue to promote quality education for Filipinos and remain an observant mother who stands for the welfare of the teachers and students of the Philippines.

Duterte also said that all the things she is doing are for God, her country and Filipino families.

“Bagama’t hindi ako magpapatuloy na mamamahala sa Kagawaran, patuloy pa rin nating itataguyod ang kalidad ng edukasyon na nararapat para sa Pilipino (Although I will not continue heading the Department, I will still continue to promote the quality of education that Filipinos rightfully deserve),” she added.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Duterte also enumerated her achievements and programs to reform the DepEd, particularly the MATATAG curriculum which is being pilot-tested in 35 schools in seven regions of the country.

The curriculum aims to revise the K to 10 program which includes reducing the number of competencies and greater emphasis on the development of foundational skills such as literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills to Kinder to Grade 3 learners.

Duterte also expressed gratitude to DepEd’s partner agencies, the national and local government units, the private sector, and the entire DepEd family.

She refused to answer questions from the media after the press briefing.

DepEd Undersecretary and spokesperson Michael Poa has yet to say if Duterte spoke to other education officials before she decided to resign or if she made a recommendation as to who would succeed her.

In a statement, Poa said they understand that most are curious as to the reason behind Duterte’s decision, but added “what is of greater and pressing importance is that a proper transition be made for the next Secretary.

“We ask for patience, especially from our media partners and friends, as we will not be taking interviews on the matter during the transition period,” Poa added.

Duterte has been noticeably absent in several national events, such as when Marcos signed a law that granted additional allowances to public school teachers.

Last year, lawmakers denied Duterte’s request for P150 million in confidential and intelligence funds for the Education department.

This year, members of the Duterte clan began lambasting the President, with Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte calling on him to resign.

Sara and Sebastian’s father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, also accused Marcos of using illegal drugs, with the latter firing back, saying his predecessor was on fentanyl.

Last April, the First Lady said she was not on good terms with the Vice President, adding she was offended when she saw Sara laughing at her father’s claim that the President was under the influence of drugs.

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, an ally of the Dutertes, said he believes that Sara’s resignation as DepEd secretary “was well thought of.

“I believe it was a choice that took into consideration the best interest of our people, as has always been characteristic of her. Of that I am sure,” Dela Rosa said in a statement.

“I hope she finds peace and comfort in her present situation. Whatever future decisions she is going to make to better serve the country, regardless of function and position, I am always here to support her.

“I fully trust that she will continue to fulfill her mandate as the Vice President of the Philippines and help uplift the lives of every Filipino. After all, beyond her titles, it is her integrity that defines her leadership. And it is this integrity that she shall always uphold,” he added.

NTF-ELCAC STATEMENT

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict said it “acknowledges and respects” the decision of Sara to resign as co-vice chairperson of the task force.

“Her leadership and unwavering commitment to the mission of NTF-ELCAC have been instrumental in advancing our collective goal of achieving lasting peace and development in the Philippines,” said NTF-ELCAC executive director Ernesto Torres.

Duterte assumed the position as vice chairperson of the task force in May last year, joining fellow vice chairperson National Security Eduardo Ano. The task force is chaired by President Marcos Jr.

Torres said Duterte’s tenure as NTF-ELCAC vice-chairperson “has been marked by significant progress in our efforts to address the root causes of insurgency and promote sustainable peace in conflict-affected areas.

“Her dedication to the task force has resulted in numerous successful initiatives and operations that have strengthened the resolve and capacity of our communities to stand against insurgency. Her leadership has also emphasized the importance of education as a vital component in combating insurgency,” said Torres.

“As Secretary of DepEd, she spearheaded various programs aimed at improving the quality of education and making it more accessible, thereby addressing one of the key factors contributing to local conflicts,” said Torres.

Torres expressed the task force’s “deepest gratitude” to Duterte for her “invaluable contributions and leadership.”

“We wish her success in her future endeavors and are confident that she will continue to serve the Filipino people with the same passion and dedication,” said Torres.

“The task force will ensure a seamless transition and remain focused on its mandate to end the local communist armed conflict through inclusive development and genuine reforms.” — With Raymond Africa and Victor Reyes