ILOILO City – Kabataan party-list’s Cong. Raoul Manuel of Iloilo City has criticized Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s resignation as Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) and vice chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) as a mere stunt.
“She was never a sincere DepEd Secretary from the start,” Manuel said.
He added: “She managed a department with one of the largest budgetary allocations, and now that it no longer serves her agenda, she abruptly abandons the position.”
When asked to review Duterte-Carpio’s tenure at DepEd, Manuel criticized her legacy, highlighting issues such as confidential funds, the red-tagging of educators and students, and persistent problems in the K-12 program.
The congressman expressed hope that her successor would be someone “in touch with the harsh realities faced by the education community and not someone who uses the agency for personal ambitions.”
Manuel also reflected on Duterte-Carpio’s resignation from the NTF-ELCAC, warning against viewing it as an act of benevolence.
“She has consistently demonized those who express legitimate grievances against the government,” he said.
In a press conference, Duterte-Carpio stressed that her resignation from the Cabinet “ay hindi lulan ng kahinaan kundi dala ng tunay na malasakit sa ating mga guro at kabataang Pilipino.”
“I sought an audience with the President and I tendered my resignation as the Secretary of Education effective July 19, 2024. I have given my 30-day notice to ensure the proper and orderly transition for the benefit of the next secretary,” Duterte-Carpio said.
Despite her imminent departure from DepEd, Duterte-Carpio assured the nation that she will continue to champion the welfare of teachers and students.
“Hindi man ako tumatayo na kalihim ng edukasyon, mananatili akong isang ina, nagmamatyag at titindig para sa kapakanan ng bawat guro at bawat mag-aaral sa Pilipinas para sa isang matatag na Pilipinas,” she said./PN
