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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider VP Sara's DepEd stint a 'complete failure'—Palace

VP Sara's DepEd stint a 'complete failure'—Palace

Published Aug 20, 2025 12:30 pm
Vice President Sara Duterte's sentiments over the state of the country's education only reflect that her two-year stint in the Department of Education (DepEd) was a "complete failure," Malacañang said.
PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro and Vice President Sara Duterte
PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro and Vice President Sara Duterte
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro pointed out in a press briefing on Wednesday, Aug. 20, that Duterte was given the opportunity to address her current sentiments on the country's state of education now, but she failed to do so.
In her two years leading the Education department, the Vice President "should have worked" to improve the education system, Castro stressed.
"Binigyan po siya ng pagkakataon, pinagkatiwalaan siya ng Pangulo since 2022 hanggang 2024 para maging DepEd secretary. Dalawang taon halos na siya ay dapat nagtrabaho, kung ano man ang kanyang nirereklamo dapat natupad na po sana niya ito sa kanyang panahon (She was given the opportunity and entrusted by the President from 2022 until 2024 to serve as the DepEd secretary. For almost two years, he should have worked, and whatever she is now complaining about should have already been accomplished during her term)," Castro said when sought for reaction on Duterte's recent statements.
"Ang pagititwalang ito ay sa kanyang reklamo ngayon nagre-reflect lamang na bilang siya ay naging DepEd secretary ay a complete failure (This trust that was given to her only reflects in her current complaints that, as DepEd secretary, she was a complete failure)," Castro further said.
During an event in Kuwait, Duterte said the Philippines is being left behind in education, stuck in "paper and pencil."
The Palace official, however, assured the students and teachers that current DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara is now "cleaning the mess" left behind in the past.
"At huwag pong mag-aalala ang mga mag-aaral, at mga guro, at mga teaching staff, ang ating DepEd secretary ay nililinis naman kung ano man ang dumi na naiwan noong nakaraan (And students, teachers, and teaching staff should not worry, because our current DepEd secretary is already addressing and cleaning up whatever mess was left behind in the past)," Castro said.
She also cited that in terms of modernization, the DepEd has already distributed more than 1 million gadgets and teaching materials, which she said were left unused since 2020, have been distributed.
"So, 2024 lamang ito naisasaayos ni Secretary Angara (So, it was only in 2024 that Secretary Angara was able to resolve this)," Castro said.

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Vice President Sara Duterte Claire Castro DepEd PH education crisis
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