VP’s Mindanao allies see force alignments, ‘vibrant opposition’

NOT A WEAKNESS Vice President Sara Duterte says she is stepping down as education secretary not out of weakness but of concern for teachers and the youth, but did not give the reason for her irrevocable resignation. —SCREENGRAB FROM DEPED PHILIPPINES FACEBOOK PAGE

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — For some of the Mindanao-based allies of Vice President Sara Duterte, her decision to leave the Marcos Cabinet could lead to a clearer alignment of political forces in the country.

“[It was a] sad but necessary, wise move before the political vultures pull her down,” Davao City Councilor Pilar Braga said after learning about Duterte’s resignation.

“Politically, her decision is good for democracy and the country especially if, after such political development, a vibrant opposition will emerge,” said lawyer Nazir Ynawat, president of Alliance of Advocates of Federalism in the Philippines Inc., a Zamboanga City-based organization with a nationwide scope.

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“We have been wanting for such a long time for a credible opposition. As such, there will be legitimate critics, fiscalizers, [an] open and healthy space for a nationwide discourse on programs and initiatives for the common good,” Ynawat said.

‘Politics in the air’

He noted that it had become rare for political appointees to personally hand over their resignations to the President in Malacañang.

“Sara’s act is a class by itself. (President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.) appointed her; he is also a friend, so it was the right gesture,” Ynawat said.

Lawyer Eduardo Sanson, a former dean of Western Mindanao State University College of Law, noted that the Vice President gave no clear reason for her decision.

“Whatever (the reason) is, I think politics is in the air. Some people are trying to drive a wedge between her and the President to break the solid North-South alliance,” he said.

“She is a lawyer by profession and insofar as there is a wide interface between law and public administration, I think her resignation would be a negative development for good governance. But in terms of development and implementation of policy and programs in basic education, there are people who are better qualified,” Sanson said.

“It’s no surprise. We can all see it coming at the rate this administration is governing the country,” said Cagayan de Oro City Councilor Girlie Balaba, adding:

“Vice President Inday Sara has given her fair share of trust in the administration since her election as the second-in-command of the country. But, as I said, at the rate things are being handled by this government, she cannot stay silent and fail the people who also gave their trust and confidence in her.”

Full support vowed

“You have our full support as always. We join you in your advocacy for good governance and democratic principles,” said former Davao City Councilor and Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Mabel Acosta, addressing the Vice President.

Acosta is currently contesting the appointment of a new MinDA head as her replacement.

Zamboanga City Vice Mayor Josephine Pareja said she was shocked to hear the news of the Vice President’s resignation but respected her decision.

“We are also grateful for the services she rendered during her term. VP Sara may not have stated clearly yet the reasons but according to her, ‘we shall continue to see it as not coming from a place of weakness but is brought about by her genuine care for teachers and the Filipino youth.’ Let’s just hope for the best,” she said.