DepEd's Michael Poa, 4 others tender resignations

Incoming Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Tuesday said Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary Michael Poa has already tendered his resignation from his post. 

GMA Integrated News' Joseph Morong posted this development on X (formerly Twitter). 

Senator and incoming Education Secretary Sonny Angara: Deped Usec. Michael Poa has tendered resignation @gmanews @24OrasGMA pic.twitter.com/yCRMqrojDS

— Joseph Morong ???????? (@Joseph_Morong) July 16, 2024

"I think it is only appropriate to give the incoming Secretary of Education, Secretary Angara, a free hand to choose the people that will form part of his team," Poa said in a message to reporters when asked about his resignation.

Poa added that 2 DepEd undersecretaries and 3 assistant secretaries, including him, have already submitted their resignation letters:

• Nolasco A. Mempin - Undersecretary for Administration
• Sunshine A. Fajarda - AssistantSecretary (Office of the Secretary)
• Reynold S. Munsayac - Assistant Secretary for Procurement
• Noel T. Baluyan - Assistant Secretary for Administration

Their resignation comes almost a month after Vice President Sara Duterte quit as Education Secretary back in June. 

Poa also said that he "will just wait for instructions from the Vice President, if any” following his exit from DepEd.

Duterte's resignation will take effect on July 19, 2024, according to the Presidential Communications Office.

In her resignation letter, Duterte said she has prepared a 30-day transition plan for all the nine strands in the Central Office, as well as for the different Boards and Councils chaired by DepEd and SEAMEO.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. picked Angara as the new DepEd secretary on July 2. 

According to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Angara's seat in the Senate will remain vacant until it is filled in after the 2025 midterm elections unless the Senate calls for a special election.

—VAL, GMA Integrated News