Marcos to name new DepEd secretary this week

PHOTO FROM AFP/INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said he would name a new Education secretary by the end of the week, as it is important to move forward after Vice President Sara Duterte’s resignation from his Cabinet.

“Well we have to carry on, and the Department of Education (DepEd) is quite possibly, arguably the most important because education is that important, so no matter the change of leadership in the department, we still have to carry on … I would like to be able to announce the appointment of the DepEd secretary by the end of the week,” Marcos said in an ambush interview in Manila.

“We cannot leave it open. That job is important. We cannot just leave it without a secretary,” he added in Filipino.

According to Marcos, Duterte did not provide him with a specific reason for her resignation as DepEd chief.

“She said, ‘huwag na lang natin natin pag-usapan (let us not talk about it)’. So, I did not force the issue,” the President said.

“What do we need? Do we need an educator? Do we need an administrator? Do we need an accountant? What do we need?  And that’s what we’re trying to determine right now,” he added.