Vice President Sara Duterte has announced her resignation from her dual roles as Education Secretary and Vice Chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), effective immediately. This decision, disclosed by the Presidential Communications Office, marks a significant shift in the Duterte administration’s cabinet composition. However, Duterte will continue to fulfill her duties as the country’s Vice President.
Duterte’s resignation, effective as of June 19, 2024, comes amid a series of controversies. Most notably, scrutiny has intensified over the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) expenditure of P125 million in confidential funds in just 11 days in 2022. This extraordinary spending spree raised eyebrows and led to a contentious debate during a recent budget hearing, where her request for additional confidential funds was ultimately denied.
The Vice President’s sudden departure from these critical roles has sparked widespread speculation and discussion across various political and public platforms. Her tenure as Education Secretary was marked by ambitious reforms aimed at overhauling the Philippine education system, including curriculum enhancements and increased investment in teacher training. Despite these efforts, her term was not without its challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing issues in the education sector, such as digital divide and resource allocation, which critics argue were inadequately addressed.
As the Vice Chairperson of the NTF-ELCAC, Duterte was deeply involved in efforts to combat local communist insurgency, a longstanding issue in the Philippines. Her tenure was characterized by aggressive measures and initiatives aimed at dismantling communist groups and addressing the root causes of insurgency, such as poverty and lack of development in rural areas. Yet, these actions often drew criticism from human rights groups and other sectors, who accused the task force of overreach and alleged human rights violations.
The Malacañang Palace, in its statement, did not provide specific reasons for Duterte’s resignation but emphasized her continued commitment to her role as Vice President. Duterte herself has yet to issue a detailed statement on her resignation, leaving the public and political analysts to ponder the implications of her decision.
In a press briefing, Vice President Sara Duterte confirms her resignation as DepEd secretary, effective in 30 days or July 19. Duterte does not explain why she resigned, only that she did not do it out of “weakness” but out of “compassion for teachers & students.”
Duterte’s resignation from these prominent roles within the government raises questions about the future direction of the Education Department and the NTF-ELCAC. As she steps back, the administration will need to swiftly appoint successors capable of continuing the initiatives she spearheaded while navigating the controversies and challenges left in her wake.
BREAKING: Vice President Sara Duterte resigns as Education Secretary and Vice Chairperson of the NTF-ELCAC.
— Tristan Nodalo (@TristanNodalo) June 19, 2024
Malacañang says her resignation will be effective today
Duterte will continue to serve as Vice President#NewsWatchPlus pic.twitter.com/L40FA9wqAP
As the political landscape continues to evolve, all eyes will be on Vice President Duterte’s next moves and how her resignation will impact the broader political dynamics in the Philippines.