Palace: Education Usec Varela a ‘big loss’ to public service

Malacañang says the death of Undersecretary Francis Varela is a big loss to the Education Department. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The death of Francis Varela, Department of Education (DepEd) undersecretary for finance and administration, was a “big loss” to public service, Malacañang said on Sunday.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said Varela, who died in an accident in Rizal on Saturday, carved “an exemplary track record in the academic and investment banking sectors” before joining the Aquino administration.

“DepEd Undersecretary Francisco Varela served with distinction and contributed significantly in implementing reforms in the education sector anchored upon good governance and the judicious utilization of public funds,” Coloma said in a statement.

READ: Education Undersecretary Francis Varela passes away

“His untimely death is a big loss to the public service and we extend our condolences to his bereaved family,” he added.

DepEd announced Varela’s passing on Saturday, saying it “deeply mourns the loss of one of its greatest official.”

“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,” DepEd said.

Varela spent five years in the education department. Yuji Vincent Gonzales/CB