By Brian Jules Campued
Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday clarified that First Lady Liza Marcos did not have a hand in her resignation from her post as Education chief last month.
In an ambush interview following the formal turnover of leadership to Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara at the Department of Education (DepEd) Complex in Pasig City, Duterte said she had multiple reasons for leaving the Marcos Cabinet.
“Mayroong personal sa aming dalawa ni President Marcos, which stems from ‘yung napag-usapan namin bago ako pumayag na tumakbong vice president. Mayroon siyang sa trabaho at mayroon siyang sa bayan,” the Vice President told the media.
“Wala naman ding kinalaman si First Lady sa trabaho namin ni Pangulong Marcos. Sabi ko nga, ano siya, kailangan niya ng sit down kasi hindi siya isang rason lang, nagkabuhol-buhol na siya na maraming rason,” she added.
Duterte stepped down as DepEd secretary last June 19 which will take effect on Friday. Angara, who was named as new secretary by Marcos on July 2, officially took over the reins during Thursday’s turnover ceremony.
In her speech, Duterte also outlined the DepEd’s accomplishments under her tenure, including the MATATAG Agenda and Curriculum for grades 1 to 10 and relieving teachers from administrative tasks, as well as the unfinished projects she wished Angara would continue.
“May mga hakbang na sadyang hindi natin natapos, tulad ng MATATAG Center, MATATAG Portal, DepEd Digital Education, overtime pay for teachers, a revised senior high school curriculum, universal school-based feeding program for kindergarten learners, calamity fund for teaching and non-teaching personnel, and an HMO or health insurance for teaching and non-teaching personnel. Nais kong ipaubaya ito sa ating susunod na kalihim ng kagawaran,” she said.
Meanwhile, Angara thanked Duterte and other outgoing officials for their two-year service as he expressed his commitment to improving the education system in the Philippines by building from what the former DepEd leadership had started.
“Gagawin po natin ang lahat para makamit ang mga pagbabago at reporma na aayon sa mga layunin ng isang Bagong Pilipinas,” he said in his speech.
“We want to hit the ground running, and we want to learn from all of you here as we go along. Please help us in this journey. As education is a pillar of our nation’s progress, it is only through a nation’s efforts that education will be improved and made more effective,” he added.
Angara also tendered his resignation as senator in a letter addressed to Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero. (with reports from Kenneth Paciente and Daniel Manalastas/PTV News)
