By Brian Jules Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said he would announce by the end of the week the new secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) following the resignation of Vice President Sara Duterte from his Cabinet.
Arguably “the most important department,” President Marcos noted the urgency of appointing Duterte’s replacement as the position could not be left empty for so long.
“We cannot leave it open. Importante ’yong trabaho nila. We cannot just leave it like that na nakatiwangwang na walang secretary. Kaya minamadali ko lahat,” he said during a media interview following the 2024 National Employment Summit in Manila early Thursday.
“So, no matter the change of leadership within the department, we still have to carry on,” Marcos added.
Duterte resigned as DepEd chief and National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) co-vice chairperson last June 19. She did not provide a specific reason for her quitting Marcos’ Cabinet.
“She didn’t give any reasons. I asked her if there are any particular reasons why she has chosen to resign from the Department of Education and from the NTF-ELCAC. And she said, ‘Huwag na lang natin pag-usapan.’ So I did not force the issue,” the President said.
According to the Chief Executive, he has been asking for candidates for the next DepEd secretary, as well as what the department needs.
“Sinasabi ko, bigyan ninyo ako ng maraming pangalan, anong gusto natin, what do we need, tingnan natin nang mabuti ulit—the status of the DepEd. What is now required? Ano pa ba ang kailangan gawin?” Marcos said.
“So, what do we need? Do we need an educator? Do we need an administrator? Do we need an accountant? What do we need? And that’s what we’re trying to determine right now,” he added.
Meanwhile, the President also commented on the reported plans of Duterte family members running for senator in next year’s midterm elections.
The Vice President disclosed on Tuesday that her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, and her brothers Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte and Mayor Sebastian Duterte are eyeing to run for the 2025 and 2028 elections.
“It’s a free country. They’re allowed to do [whatever] they want,” he told reporters.
However, Marcos clarified that it is still early to talk about the 2025 or 2028 national elections, adding that it would only be clear who would run come the October filing of the certificates of candidacy.
“Besides, it’s still early. We really won’t know any of these things. You’re talking about 2028. Ang dami pang mangyayari between now and 2028,” he said.
“Then we will see really kung tatakbo ba talaga? Sino ba talaga tatakbo? Kanino sasama? What are the parties involved? Which parties are in alliance with which? Doon lang natin makikita sa Oktubre,” he added.
With regards to the current status of the UniTeam, Marcos said it would depend on the Vice President as her father’s Partido Demokratikong Pilipino (PDP) was never part of the UniTeam.
“You have to remember, the PDP was never a part of the UniTeam. PDP was never part of the UniTeam kahit na nung election, so it does not change anything for the UniTeam,” he said.
“Depende lang kung ano ’yong posisyon ni Inday Sara pagdating ng eleksyon. Siya ba ay nasa administrasyon o siya ba ay nasa oposisyon? That will be the only major determinant. But as the parties involved, pareho pa rin ang UniTeam, hindi pa nagbago,” he added. (with report from Mela Lesmoras/PTV News)
– iro
