VP refutes DepEd failure claim – BusinessWorld Online
VICE-PRESIDENT (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio on Thursday rejected Malacañang’s claim that she was a “total failure” during her stint as Education secretary, saying President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. himself had asked her to remain in the post when she quit.
In a video message to reporters from The Hague, Netherlands, Ms. Duterte questioned the basis of the palace criticism. “I don’t understand where the claim that I was a total failure as Department of Education (DepEd) secretary is coming from,” she said in Filipino.
Her remarks came after Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro on Wednesday rebuffed her assertion that the Philippine education system remains in crisis, stressing she had been given two years to address its long-standing problems.
Ms. Duterte stepped down as Education chief last year, citing “genuine concern” for teachers and the youth. Her resignation was soon followed by allegations of public fund misuse, which triggered an impeachment trial that the Supreme Court has since declared void.
The Vice-President insists she was merely citing facts when she said the education system was lagging. “I can say that we are truly behind in our education system compared with more developed countries around the world. And that is true.” — Chloe Mari A. Hufana