The Department of Education (DepEd) announced the death of Undersecretary Francis M. Varela, who was killed in a motorcycle crash in Pililia, Rizal province, Saturday morning.
Varela, the undersecretary for finance and administration, “has been very instrumental in forging ahead education reforms particularly in ensuring that every cent in the education budget is spent judiciously,” DepEd said in a statement.
“He was a staunch advocate of anticorruption efforts in the department and played a very important role in instituting reforms to ensure that ethical standards are observed in all transactions involving the agency,” it said. “A highly principled man, a sharp mind, a willingness to make tough decisions and the compassion for the Filipino learner were all hallmarks of Usec Varela’s five years in DepEd.”
“We are one with his family in this difficult time and one with the nation in mourning the loss of an extraordinary public servant.”
The wake will be at La Salle Green Hills, according to Assistant Secretary Jesus Mateo.