Briones expresses support to Duterte as incoming DepEd chief

Outgoing Education Secretary Leonor Briones said that she will support the leadership of incoming Vice President-elect Sara Duterte, who is the incoming Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary, and had even agreed to be a consultant to her.

Briones and Duterte and her team officially had their first in-person transition meeting on Saturday, June 25.

Duterte shared photos on her official page on the same day.

"Nakameeting po natin ngayong araw [June 25] si Dep Ed Sec. Leonor Briones at buong transition Team. Bilang paghahanda ito ng ating mga programa sa sektor ng edukasyon (We had a meeting with DepEd Sec. Leonor Brioned and the entire transition team today. This is in preparation with our preparations in the education sector)," she wrote.

In a press release, DepEd said the meeting was held at the DepEd Office of the Secretary in Pasig City, wherein the meeting was preceded by a preparatory exchange of letters and communications to define the agenda of the meeting.

The department said the program started with a one-on-one meeting between Duterte and Briones before the transition team’s meeting proceeded.

During the meeting, Briones provided an overview of the office's work under the outgoing administration, including a summary of the scope of DepEd's responsibilities. Also highlighted were the present administration's contribution to basic education reforms, and the identification of matters that need immediate policy attention, including the creation of guidelines for the incoming school year.

Duterte, in response, acknowledged the contributions of DepEd to the programs of her father, outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte. She also thanked Briones for manifesting her support for the former following the appointment as the incoming Education secretary.

"There was consensus on policy matters that need immediate attention, which are the matters of the guidelines for the incoming SY [School Year] 2022-2023, as well as the budget for 2023," DepEd said, adding these will be subject to immediate consultations between both teams.

DepEd said a special ceremony will happen on July 4, wherein Briones will formally turnover the department to Duterte.

"Secretary Briones reiterated her assurance that Vice President-elect Duterte has the full support of the DepEd family in this transition period.

DepEd also said Briones agreed to be a consultant to Duterte.

Duterte, in a recent interview, said she will look into the implementation of the K-to-12 program and the possible full implementation of the face-to-face (F2F) classes among all basic education learners.

The outgoing mayor of Davao City6 also said she is "targeting" to fully implement the F2F classes by August this year.

The incoming DepEd head also said she will look for ways to raise teachers' salaries. RGL