Sara’s NTF-ELCAC post won’t cause problems in academic freedom, intel funds —NSC exec

The appointment of Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duturte in the anti-insurgency task force will not cause problems in academic freedom and intelligence funds, an official of the National Security Council (NSC) said Friday.

“Sa tingin ko po, walang magiging problema sa academic freedom,”  NSC assistant director general Jonathan Malaya said at a televised public briefing.

(I think there will be no problems in academic freedom)

Malaya pointed out that the school will still decide on what they want to teach and their manner of teaching.

“Wala naman pong kinalaman ang [National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict] sa magiging curriculum ng mga eskwelahan,” he said.

(The NTF-ELCAC has nothing to do with the curriculum of the schools.)

Meanwhile, Malaya also gave his thoughts on concerns raised by the Makabayan bloc about Duterte possibly having more control of confidential and intelligence funds.

“That is within the purview of the Secretary of Education… Kung sa anumang bagay ito gagamitin ay nasa kamay na po yan ng DepEd ,” he said.

(The DepEd has discretion over how they will use the funds.)

Imee, Bato welcome Sara's new post

Senators Imee Marcos and Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa on Friday also welcomed the designation of Vice President Sara Duterte as the new co-vice chairperson of the NTF-ELCAC.

“Maganda naman ‘yon dahil programa ng ama niya. Higit sa lahat sila talaga ang may tauhan sa [Department of Education],” Marcos said in an interview in Bulacan.

(That's good because it's his father's program. They also have people in DepEd for that.)

“Alam ko talagang nahihirapan ang iba’t-ibang LGU sa pag-implement ng NTF-ELCAC dahil nga minsan nagkakaroon ng failure of bidding at walang supplier... Kaya I am certain na kapag andyan si VP mare-resolve niya lahat ng issue na ‘yan,” she added.

(I think LGUs are having a hard time implementing the NTF-ELCAC because of bidding and supplier problems. If the VP is there, those problems will be resolved.)

Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, for his part, said Duterte’s designation would help prevent students from joining communist groups.

“That is a very good development. I’m happy kasi karamihan ng kabataan ay doon nare-recruit sa senior high school at ang senior high school is under DepEd. ‘Yun matutukan n’ya yan... Magandang bagay ‘yan para madagdagan ang NTF-ELCAC ng isang Vice President Inday Sara,” he said.

(Students from senior high school are being recruited and the senior high school is under DepEd, which she can monitor. It's a good thing for the NTF-ELCAC to have Vice President Sara.)

Dela Rosa also believes Duterte won’t neglect her duties as concurrent secretary of DepEd, adding that the vice president is “very hardworking.”

Duterte's new post in the NTF-ELCAC was announced by Vice Chairperson and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año on Wednesday. 

During their executive meeting, Duterte issued a stern warning against communists, saying, “The so-called protracted war must end. And it must end now.” —VAL, GMA Integrated News