Castro: Sara's Cabinet resignation 'declaration of war vs. Marcos'

Vice President Sara Duterte's resignation as education chief and vice chaiperson of an anti-insurgency task force is seen by House minority leaders as a "declaration of war against President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

"The resignation of Vice President Duterre from the Marcos Jr. Cabinet marks the open war between the former allies and the upcoming escalation of hostilities between the two camps," said House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro.

Castro also said Duterte should have resigned as education chief long ago.

"Sana ay mas maaga niya ito ginawa para makapaglagay ng isang kalihim ng DepEd na galing talaga sa sektor ng edukasyon at alam ang kanyang ginagawa. Nasayang ang dalawang taon para ayusin agad ang education crisis sa bansa at benepisyo at sahod ng mga guro at education support personnel," Castro said.

(I hope she did it sooner so someone from the education sector could take her place. Two years were wasted.)

House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas, meanwhile, believes that Duterte's resignation is a "political move in preparation for the 2025 elections."

Brosas, however, said that the focus now should be in appointing a new education chief. 

"Her resignation highlights the urgent need to appoint a genuine public servant who will prioritize uplifting the long-neglected education sector," she said.

Duterte said her resignation was not due to weakness, but out of concern for teachers and students.

She said she gave a 30-day notice “to ensure the proper and orderly transition for the benefit of the next secretary.”

“Mga kababayan, ang aking pagbibitiw ay hindi lulan ng kahinaan kundi dala ng tunay na malasakit para sa ating mga guro at kabataang Pilipino,” she said.

(My countrymen, my resignation was not due to weakness but due to my true concern for our teachers and Filipino youth.)

Presidential Communications Office  Secretary Cheloy Garafil said that Marcos already accepted Duterte's resignation, which is effective Friday, July 19.

Garafil said Duterte had declined to provide a reason why she quit her post. --VAL, GMA Integrated News