DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who is poised to be the country’s next vice president, will also serve as the secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), leading presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said.
Marcos said that as a mother, Duterte-Carpio wants the country’s children to be “well-trained and well educated.”
“I think I am already authorized to announce the first nominee that we will be giving to the Commission on Appointments when the time comes should I be proclaimed. And that is that our incoming vice president has agreed to take the brief of the Department of Education,” Marcos Jr. said in a televised speech.
“So si Inday Sara, tinanong ko sa kanya kung kaya niya yung trabaho dahil mahirap ang trabaho ng Secretary of Education. Pero nag-agree naman siya,” he added.
In a statement, Duterte-Carpio said it was decided during her discussion with Marcos on Tuesday, May 11, 2022, that she would work on producing skilled learners with the mindset to realize their full potential.
"Our country needs a future generation of patriotic Filipinos that advocate peace and discipline in their respective communities," she said.
She expressed gratitude to Marcos for the trust she bestowed upon her.
In January, Duterte-Carpio said she would propose the mandatory rendering of military service for all Filipinos 18 years old and above when she gets elected as vice president of the country.
She said she would make it possible by tapping the legislative wing of the government.
The country’s Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Program which was previously the mandatory military training for college students was made optional in 2002 following the death of Mark Chua, a University of Santo Tomas student who was allegedly killed after divulging corruption allegations in the ROTC.
Meanwhile, Education Secretary Leonor Briones said she is looking forward to a smooth transition with Duterte-Carpio.
“I welcome the announcement by presidential frontrunner Bongbong Marcos that incoming Vice President Sara Duterte will concurrently serve as Department of Education Secretary,” Briones said.
“I and the DepEd family are ready to work with her team for the orderly transition of DepEd leadership,” she added. (SunStar Philippines)