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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DepEd, CHED deny report claiming Agrupis sought to replace Angara as ASEAN delegation head

DepEd, CHED deny report claiming Agrupis sought to replace Angara as ASEAN delegation head

Published Jul 20, 2026 02:56 pm

At A Glance

  • In a joint statement, the two agencies described the report as "false and misleading and said Agrupis "at no point" sought to lead the Philippine delegation or challenge Angara's designation.
Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Shirley Agrupis and Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara (CHED photo)
Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Shirley Agrupis and Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara (CHED photo)
The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Monday, July 20, denied a report claiming that CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis sought to replace Education Secretary Sonny Angara as head of the Philippine delegation to the 14th ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting and Related Meetings in Singapore.
In a joint statement, the two agencies described the report as “false and misleading and said Agrupis “at no point” sought to lead the Philippine delegation or challenge Angara's designation.
“At no point did Chairperson Agrupis seek to lead the Philippine delegation or challenge Secretary Angara's designation as Head of Delegation. Secretary Angara has always been the duly designated Head of Delegation, consistent with established ASEAN protocols,” the statement read.
DepEd and CHED said Agrupis was formally invited by DepEd to join the Philippine delegation ”to ensure that the country's higher education priorities are fully represented in the regional discussions and aligned with the Philippines' overall education agenda.”
The agencies also dismissed speculation surrounding DepEd's request for guidance from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
“DepEd sought guidance from the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure that appropriate diplomatic courtesies and protocol arrangements would be extended to Chairperson Agrupis as a Cabinet level official. This had nothing to do with the leadership of the delegation,” they said.
DepEd and CHED said Agrupis’ participation is consistent with President Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen coordination among the country's trifocalized education agencies, adding that DepEd, CHED, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority continue to align their policies and programs.
The agencies said they remain united in advancing the country's education agenda and ensuring ”a strong, coherent, and productive Philippine participation in the ASEAN meetings.”
They also said they welcome “constructive criticism grounded in facts” but maintained that “unsubstantiated accusations, speculations, and insinuations must never replace truth, fairness, evidence, and responsible public discourse.”

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DEPED CHED SHIRLEY AGRUPIS SONNY ANGARA ASEAN
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