Padilla: Duterte resigned from DepEd to protect interest of Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines —  Senator Robin Padilla believes that the resignation of Vice President Sara Duterte as the country’s education chief was done to protect the interest of Filipinos.

Padilla on Tuesday defended the Vice President’s decision to resign, mentioning the possibility of Duterte wanting to make sure the country would not be negatively affected by the perceived rift between her family and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“Nakikita ko as a leader, kumbaga oops, hindi dapat maapektuhan ang interest ng Pilipino sa personal, kung meron mang hidwaan sa dalawang pamilya,” Padilla said in a statement.

(I believe that as a leader, she did not want the nation to suffer because of the perceived disagreement between their families.)

Duterte left Marcos’ cabinet and resigned from her position as Education secretary last June 19.

The Vice President, however, did not provide a definite reason why she left her post, only signifying that it was not a sign of weakness but stirred by compassion for teachers and students.

READ: Vice Pres. Sara Duterte resigns as DepEd secretary, says Palace 

Padilla expressed that he was, in fact, unfazed by Duterte’s resignation.

“Sa pagkakilala ko kay Inday, kay VP Sara, inaantay ko na ‘yan,” he said,

(I know VP Sara and I was waiting for her to do that.)

Padilla further added his support for the Vice President, mentioning that Duterte supported him during his senatorial bid under the UniTeam last 2022 Elections. — Moss R. Laygo, INQUIRER.net intern