VP Sara: First Lady had nothing to do with my DepEd resignation

Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday categorically denied that First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos had something to do with her resignation as secretary of the Department of Education.

"No. Kasi wala naman din kinalaman si First Lady sa trabaho namin ni Pangulong Marcos. So sabi ko nga, ano siya, kailangan ng sit-down kasi hindi siya isang rason lang. Nagkabuhol-buhol na siya na maraming rason," Duterte said in an ambush interview. 

It was back in April when the First Lady said during an episode of "Tune in kay Tunying" program that Duterte has become a "bad shot" for her "unless she says sorry or whatever" over the drug accusations hurled by her father against the President, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

The First Lady said she took offense when she saw Duterte laughing over her father's "bangag" remark against President Marcos at a rally in Davao City in late January.

Duterte earlier acknowledged the resentment of the First Lady toward her, but said that the latter’s personal feelings have nothing to do with Duterte's mandate as the country’s second highest government official.

The Vice President also emphasized that she does not regret taking on the role of Secretary for the Department of Education. 

"In fact, it is with a heavy heart that I leave the Department of Education. Minahal ko itong trabaho na ito. Minahal ko 'yung mga kasama ko sa Department of Education," said Duterte.

What she regrets is not being able to finish all the plans of the Marcos administration for the education sector, she said.

"Meron talaga akong regrets dahil gusto ko talagang tapusin kung anuman 'yung dapat deliverables ng Marcos administration mula sa Department of Education," she said.

Duterte quit the position last June 19, 2024, which will take effect tomorrow, July 19, 2024. She has served the department since the start of the Marcos administration.

In explaining her resignation from DepEd, Duterte said there are a lot of reasons why she made the decision.

"Medyo mahaba 'yung kwento na 'yun e. We need a sit down for the reasons. Merong personal sa aming dalawa ni President Marcos, which stems from 'yung napag-usapan namin bago ako pumayag na tumakbong vice president. Meron siyang sa trabaho at meron siyang sa bayan," she said.

Duterte also added that she is no longer open about accepting other Cabinet position. 

"Hindi na ako magseserve in another cabinet post sa Marcos administration"

—VAL, GMA Integrated News