Following Vice President Sara Duterte's resignation as secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), the Teachers' Dignity Coalition said the next DepEd secretary must have a background in education.
In a statement, the Teachers' Dignity Coalition urged President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to appoint a non-political figure to avoid political conflicts within the department.
"We call on our president to ensure that the next DepEd secretary appointed is not a politician or actively involved in partisan politics. This is to ensure that DepEd is spared from political bickering and being dragged into divisive political fighting," it read.
They also stressed that the ideal candidate should have experience in public school teaching or come from the education sector, so he or she understands the daily challenges faced by teachers and students.
"We also hope that the next secretary comes from the academe, or at the very least, has experience teaching in a public school. Someone who has lived through the daily experiences of teachers and students, grasps the situation on the ground, and whose heart is truly a teacher's," it read.
RESIGNATION
Meanwhile, Abvic Ryan Maghirang, a political science professor, commented on Vice President Sara Duterte's resignation. He said personal reasons rather than political motives may have influenced her decision.
"Hindi siya political, hindi siya kung ano pa man, pero it's more on the personal level na, siyempre kung ang pamilya mo nga naman ay kumbaga patuloy ang pagbatikos, kumbaga, it's a matter of delicadeza rin," Maghirang said.
He said her actions should not be interpreted hastily as a shift towards opposition. He characterized her current approach as a "silent treatment."
Maghirang also said vice presidents resigning from cabinet positions is not uncommon, citing previous instances like former Vice President Leni Robredo's resignation as Housing Czar during the Duterte administration.
"Alungat kasi ang naging prinsipyo sa gustong ipatupad ng nakaraang administrasyon, pero sa pagkakataon ngayon ang problema kasi is more on a personal level," Maghirang said.
Senator Imee Marcos, a close friend of Duterte, said she is not aware of the Vice President’s reasons and that she has reportedly not spoken to her just yet about the resignation, as of this writing.
