VP Sara Duterte says she remains ‘friendly’ with Marcos; resignation in DepEd's best interest

Vice President Sara Duterte over the weekend said she remains friendly with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., following her resignation as part of the administration’s  Cabinet.

“We are still friendly with each other on a personal level,” Duterte said in an exclusive  interview with Marisol Abdurahman on the sidelines of a Du-aw Festival basketball game in Davao City which was aired on 24 Oras Weekend on Sunday.

“Pumunta ako sa opisina ni Pangulong Marcos at sinabi ko sa kanya dala ko ‘yung resignation letter ko, and maayos naman ‘yung kaniyang pagtanggap and maayos din ‘yung pagtapos ng aming pag-uusap,” she added.

(I went to the office of President Marcos and I told him that I brought my resignation letter. He received it well, and our conversation ended on a good note.)

Duterte — who quit as secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) and vice chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) — said that her resignation was made in consideration of the department’s best interest.

“Hindi ko na kinonsider ‘yung reactions ng mga tao. Kinonsider ko lang kung ano ‘yung mas makakabuti para sa Department of Education,” she said, adding that she did not consult her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte on the matter, regarding her decision.

(I did not consider the reactions of the people. I just considered what would be best for the Department of Education.)

Duterte announced her resignation from the Cabinet last Wednesday, giving a 30-day notice as this would take effect on July 19, 2024. She has yet to provide a reason.

Her resignation was accepted by Marcos, whom she ran alongside with as a tandem under the UnitTeam Alliance in the 2022 national polls.

She noted, however, that she was saddened by the development as she said she loved her work as DepEd Secretary.

“‘Yung pagpunta ko sa mga schools, pakikipag-usap ko sa mga estudyante at pakikipag-usap ko sa mga guro, minahal ko talaga ‘yung trabaho ko kaya nalulungkot ako,” Duterte said

(Going to schools, speaking with students and teachers, I really loved my work which is why I am sad.)

Moving forward, Duterte said she will focus her efforts on her role as Vice President.

“Nakatutok na tayo ngayon sa Office of the Vice President. Meron kaming sampung projects sa Office of the Vice President,” she said.

(We are now focused on the Office of the Vice President. We have ten projects in the Office of the Vice President.)—RF, GMA Integrated News