In Case You Missed It: Did you know that Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is anticipating Vice President Sara Duterte to field a candidate to challenge his reelection bid in the 2025 polls, setting the stage for political lines to be drawn after she resigned from the Marcos Cabinet?

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/inside-track/negros-occidental-governor-sees-sara-duterte-backed-challenger-2025-elections/

In Case You Missed It: Did you know that Vice President Sara Duterte resigned from the Marcos Cabinet just three months and 12 days before the filing of candidacies for the mid-term elections, in a move that surprised many but was considered overdue by supporters and detractors alike?

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/opinion-political-earthquake-sara-duterte-fails-seize-narrative/

In Case You Missed It: Did you know that in a special ceremony in Quezon City, called 'Graduation Rights,' some 394 students and graduates were given the chance to march wearing whatever felt right to them, after experiencing dress code-related discrimination in their respective schools' graduation ceremonies?

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/metro-manila/video-lgbtq-students-march-true-selves-quezon-city-graduation-rights/

@here Hi! I'm Bonz Magsambol, I cover Sara Duterte. In this piece, I gave a recap of how the Vice President led DepEd for two years. I also gave a glimpse of how she was in her FIRST and LAST presscon as education secretary. Yes you read that right, that was the only time she faced reporters covering her in a proper press briefing, but she DIDNT TAKE any question from us. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/how-sara-duterte-led-department-education/

this is a beautiful piece, @Bonz Magsambol ! it's nice to read an article from someone who's spent considerable time with the VP.

Oh thank you for reading! @JKB glad that you enjoyed reading it!

Hi, everyone! @here To start off our discussion, what do yo think of veep's move to resign from deped? any thoughts?

Hopefully they'll make space for someone who actually has a background in education 😅

Right! Do you have anyone in mind? hehe If you're going to reco someone to the President, who would it be? hehe

Still doing my research on who's qualified! But important for the president to note na the education field isn't just about sharing information to students – there's actually a lot of factors involved (lalo na with the learning crisis) so it should be someone who's already in the academe/has a background in the educ industry

Some also say the next deped chief should not be a politician para hindi ma politicized ang department, after all, ang daming problema ng Pilipinas sa education!

Not really an expert on this field but in my opinion, the standards for these types of appointments must be solidified and specified. This is already an issue sa mga candidates but this must be for all government positions.

any thoughts? @Miguel @Hailie @Viancé Redoblado

Personally, I think it should be a veteran from the department itself. When I was part of the student council in the public high school system, a lot of teachers are complaining about internal policies that are ideal, yet in actuality very hard or seldom get enforced. Maybe an internal appointee would understand the nuances of the department more clearly.

Are there any qualifications needed to become an educ secretary? The same way na sa corporate world, if you're in a high level position, you should have certain work experience and tenure?

I agree. Sometimes rin nasisira yung transition from one leader to another coz nawawala ang proper turnover, ending all deped chiefs are starting from scratch! this contributes a lot as to why problems are compounding and just piling up.

I agree po sa sentiments ng iba with regards to the next secretary not being a politician 😄 I think mas beneficial po if ang next secretary ay may background sa education or member po ng academe.

In addition, someone who openly listens to feedback and criticism especially coming from students. An anecdote on this would be VP Sara's absence in last year's Learner's Convergence in which she was notably absent during the entire event. The thought among majority of the student leaders who attended the event was that she was scared that her attendance would stir controversy and would cause a "walkout" such as the case in the 2022 Philippine Youth Convergence (which was later rebranded) in which Sec. Brionen experienced one.

I also agree with this. 'Yung mga issues po kasi ng education department hindi naman po siya bago, it's been here for decades na po so we need someone who experienced these issues firsthand and someone na updated sa research, sa new technologies to improve the department

As far as I know po, since cabinet member siya, it was all because of appointment. The president appoints then ipapasa po s Commission on Appointments and Congress for approval. Knowing the politics in the Philippines, approvals might be rigged

Kaya parang inevitable po in a way ang pagiging politicized ng executive departments, if nagwowork only for the advantage of the politicians ang appointments.

Aside from that, I think the shortlist should include someone with a vision for reform. Someone with a clear and innovative vision for improving the quality of education, addressing issues such as curriculum relevance, teacher training, and student performance. (these are the projects na naiwan ni vp sara without proper closure)

The next DepEd secretary must be an educator. Someone who knows the system. Someone who experied teaching in the public setting.

A visionary who can make precise decision on the issues of our curriculum, and teachers’ benefit and salary increase, and have plans to address the issue on our education system.

Has a heart for teachers’ welfare. Not a politician, not a person related/ owns any business.

I agree!!! I do not have a lot of knowledge on Philippine politics because I live in the US, but I have studied education policy on an international level. The recurring problem seems to be a severe dissonance between policymakers and educators. It is impossible for anyone who has not been part of the system to correctly diagnose the parts that need to be fixed and fix them. Even when reforms are well-intentioned, it is rare that they are successful due to this disconnect. Too often, education policy makers are unaware of what policy is in practice. Therefore, I think an experienced educator in the position of DepEd secretary could be a huge step forward.

Part of me thinks it would be ideal if the new DepEd Secretary had some experience in politics, too. I imagine that this would be helpful in navigating the government realm and ensuring that their policies for positive change are put in place and enacted. At the same time, I am not sure because putting a “politcian” in charge of the next generation sounds like a roll of the dice. Does anyone else have thoughts on this?

I can see your point. However, in this case, I’m more leaning towards the thought of having a deped secretary who has no any political affiliation. Because they will be the one in charge of making the overall decisions, unnecessary biases must be strictly avoided. The diversity in terms of skills and experience could be applied to the executive board members such as assistant secretary, undersec, etc.

A once classroom teacher who rose from the ranks based on merits who knows how it is inside the classroom and has dedicated his or her life to true education of Filipinos must be the new education department secretary. He or she must be humble and simplistic in approach in a department of hifallutin people. He or she must have the courage to streamline the department structure that is so bloated on top bringing so much chaos to a small community school due to overlapping policies that makes teacher and non teaching personnel spread themselves so thinly. One who will be licensed to streamline the central office to focus only on the basics curriculum, teacher, infrastructure and not the many so-called continuous improvement schemes that only adds burdens to school heads and teachers while public school learners are shortchanged of teachiing time. One who would stick on the most effective culturally sensitive curriculum, while saving on bloated central office to increase benefits of frontline teachers, and would build conducive classrooms.

Hello, sorry late sa discussion! If puwede humabol and kung wishlist talagaaaaaa--
- advocate ng children and youth, pati ang marginalized sectors nito (nakakalimutan madalas na sila ang focus - dapat may pagtanaw na ang trabaho ay para sa bawat batang Pilipino!)
- experienced basic education classroom teacher (perhaps an awardee for outstanding teachers)
- uses data, evidence and research when implementing education reforms (yung nakikinig sa sound research! progressive din mag-isip kasi hawak niya ang generations of Filipino learners. Hindi dapat yung ipapagawa kung ano lang ang maisip and walang basis)
- knows the department well (took on leadership roles sa school and sa DepEd -- super laki and bureaucratic ng ahensyang ito)
- masipag and malakas pa (yung kayang mag-visit sa urban and remote schools nang walang political agenda! Hindi nagpapa-prepare ng tarpaulins, tokens at pagkain na kinukuha madalas sa school MOOE. Also hindi nagpapa-absent ng mga bata para lang sayawan o awitan ang mga guests)
- honest, transparent (yung hindi kukuha ng confidential funds!)
- well-respected sa local and international education community (bonus yung cited here and abroad for education research)
- yung kayang magmobilize ng mga magagaling na tao sa execom niya
- (last but not the least!) yung kayang tumanggi at lumaban sa requests ng mga officials at ng mga ka-alyado nito for historical distortions sa curriculum and for political agenda - kasi most likely ang kukuning political appointee ay para:
1. pabanguhin ang pangalan ng mga nakaupo (lalo na malapit na ang brigada eskwela and start ng school year)
2. ma-strategize ang direction ng mga susunod na elections (again, generations ang pagtanaw and sakop ng reforms ng Deped - puwede na mang-brainwash ng next generation of voters)
3. maging enabler ng political agenda at source ng pera (Ang laki ng budget ng DepEd! Kapag tatanggalin ang malalaking programa ng DepEd such as SHS, saan mapupunta ang perang naka-allocate para dito?)

Hi if I can also add to the discussion, I am also leaning towards the idea na the next Department of Education Secretary should be someone who has a background and experience with our educational system. That person should have seen or experienced first-hand the challenges or struggles of teachers and students. They should also genuinely advocate to make our education system better and has a vision and knowledgeable how to address the issues in this sector such as the low competencies, low salary, lack of classrooms, lack of schools in remote areas, etc. Education is very important and receiving quality education is a must as it helps the youth to make better decisions for our country.

Sang-ayon po ako rito. Sana yung susunod na DepEd secretary, galing sa hanay ng mga lider na guro (lalo na sa Basic Education) at kung nakaupo na siya sa pwesto, dapat di niya nakakalimutan isaalang-alang ang mga karanasan ng ating mga kaguruan. Dapat nasa maayos na kalagayan ang kanyang kalusugan para bumababa rin siya sa ating mga paaralan upang siya mismo ang makakita kung paano tumatakbo ang sistema ng paaralan, kumusta ang kalagayan ng mga estudyante, atbp. Sana rin may espesyal siyang puso para sa mga SPED students upang mabigyan ang mga nangangailangan ng makatao at de kalidad na edukasyon.

Ateneo de Davao aims high with ‘Sibol’ rocket launch at Spaceport America Cup
The Ateneo de Davao team launches the rocket, Sibol, to a target altitude of 10,000 feet, aiming to hit the mark without substantial deviation, from New Mexico in the United States

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/mindanao/ateneo-de-davao-aims-high-sibol-rocket-launch-spaceport-america-cup-june-2024/

[The Slingshot] Blunders and mess Sara left behind at DepEd
The verifiable facts are there for the whole world to see

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/the-slingshot-blunders-and-mess-sara-duterte-department-of-education/

[EDITORIAL] Post-Sara Duterte resignation: Ang trahedya at ang pag-asa sa edukasyon
Hindi na puwedeng ipagkatiwala ang DepEd sa taong walang alam tungkol sa public education system, walang lakas ng loob na tumaya sa pagbabago, at walang vision upang tahakin ang tamang landas

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/voices/editorials/post-sara-duterte-deped-resignation-tragedy-hope-education/

New opposition? Romualdez wants to hear Sara declare it herself
It was former presidential spokesman Harry Roque who declares vice president Sara Duterte as the new face of the opposition after she resigned

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/new-opposition-martin-romualdez-wants-sara-duterte-declare-it-herself/

Sara Duterte downplays opposition role, thinks she’s still friends with Marcos
Vice President Sara Duterte says she is not yet discussing politics, and her priority is the smooth transition in the Department of Education

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/mindanao/sara-duterte-downplays-opposition-role-thinks-still-friends-with-marcos/

Sara Duterte says her father, 2 brothers to run for Senate seats
(1st UPDATE) Sara Duterte suggests she may run for Davao mayor again, while hinting that her brother Baste might run for president in 2028

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/mindanao/sara-duterte-says-father-brothers-run-senate-seats-2025-elections/

Check po Dina Ocampo, former DepEd Usec., former dean of UP Educ, classroom teacher, Literacy and Reading expert here and abroad. :)

In Case You Missed It: Did you know that Sara Duterte resigned as DepEd secretary amidst the end of the Uniteam alliance, signaling a shift in her political strategy?

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/opinion-does-sara-duterte-have-game-plan-elections/

Newsbreak Chats: What 2025 looks like after the administration breakup
How will the rift between the Marcos and Duterte factions affect the 2025 elections? Catch the discussion live on Thursday, June 27, at 4 pm.

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/podcasts-videos/discussion-uniteam-breakup-impact-2025-philippine-elections/

Marcos downplays impact of Sara Duterte’s Cabinet exit on Uniteam coalition
President Marcos adds his administration is planning to name Vice President Sara Duterte's replacement as education secretary by the end of the week

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/marcos-reaction-sara-duterte-resignation-cabinet-impact-uniteam-june-2024/

Who is the real opposition leader and why can’t it be Sara Duterte?
Since Vice President Sara Duterte bolted the Marcos Cabinet, her allies have been peddling her as a 'real opposition leader but her words and actions make her unfit for this role, say political analysts

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/new-opposition-leader-why-not-sara-duterte/

Agree, it's a name known within those in the field, including those in politics who listen to her bec of her expertise. Excellent choice because of her experience as well (classroom, academe, and government)

‘Nahirapan akong pumili’: Marcos gives himself more time to choose new DepEd chief
'It turns out it's harder than I thought because we absolutely have to get it right,' President Marcos says of the selection process

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/inside-track/marcos-selection-process-education-secretary/

Marcos Year 2: In Bongbong’s Bagong Pilipinas, the promise of unity falls apart
President Marcos wraps his second year in office as the new poster boy for rules-based order on the international stage, but at home, he is confronted by the instability of the alliance he forged in the past elections

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/marcos-jr-second-year-bagong-pilipinas-promise-unity-falls-apart/

In Case You Missed It: Did you know Vice President Sara Duterte announced that her office did not request confidential funds from the 2025 national budget?

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/sara-duterte-office-vice-president-did-not-request-confidential-funds-2025-budget/

[OPINYON] Thesis for sale
Kung pagbabatayan ang mga nag-inquire ng serbisyo, pawang mga teacher na naghahangad makabuo ng MA thesis.... Sa mga suliranin upang mapabuti at mapataas ang kalidad ng edukasyon, anong dangal at galing ang kaya nilang ihain?

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/opinion-thesis-for-sale/

[Rappler’s Best] Fasten seatbelt, Mr. President
'Where has President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. taken us since former president Rodrigo Duterte stepped down in June 2022?'

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/voices/newsletters/best-fasten-seatbelt-president-marcos-jr-second-year/

@here We have a new DepEd secretary! President Marcos has picked Senator Sonny Angara to replace Vice President Sara Duterte. https://www.rappler.com/philippines/sonny-angara-named-new-department-education-secretary/

Senator Sonny Angara has been appointed as secretary of the Department of Education, replacing Vice President Sara Duterte.

How can the DepEd do better under its new leader? Weigh in by sending your wishlist @here.

For him to use his political experience and network and instincts to hurdle the bureaucratic roadblocks that will surely come his way as he tries to fix classroom shortage, textbook concerns, and dep-ed’s seemingly intractable problems. We wish him well! A lot to undo from two years of mismanagement😤

Integrate topics on the West Philippine Sea into the Basic Education curriculum. The Philippines will need a grounded and informed youth that would last the course of this generational dispute.

I wish that the benevolent Senator now DepEd Secretary will strengthen Technical-Vocation Education Training (TVET) Centers that will create skillful and competent Filipino workers esp. among those poor young people.

Senator Sonny Angara is appointed as the new education secretary. What happens to his senate seat?

Rappler’s @Bonz Magsambol gives a recap of events leading to Angara’s appointment.

Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/live/sX5FFOl6MlM @here

Sen. Angara, pakisuyo po na repasuhin na ang nabubulok na sistema ng promotion sa DepEd.

I hope he knows what his new assignment is.

Sonny Angara is the right person to lead DepEd and being DepEd Secretary is an executive position that needs someone to be a foresighted visionary and excellent manager that he has, unlike his predecessor.

Instead of merely depending on PISA (which is appropriate for the 38 OECD (wealthy) countries only), he should provide valid and appropriate learning assessments. Since Angara was a co-author of the K-12 Law (which has not yet been amended), he should ensure that all current actions are aligned with the K-12 purposes. I also hope he will provide basic education to the hundreds of undocumented Filipino children in Sabah who are not allowed to go to Malaysian schools due to their illegal status. Generations of Filipinos have been deprived of schooling

Security Bank has this awesome project providing school buildings + training for new teachers and principals. Perhaps Sen Angara could encourage other banks and big businesses to address the lack of classrooms by mirroring this worthwhile project 👍️

the task of catching up our Filipino learners is daunting but I think Sonny Angara can count on the private sectors to partner and create learning and infrastructure initiatives. We all just want to support someone who will really do something concrete.

Senator Angara may well be the person that could change the trajectory of the Philippine education system to the right direction... He should hit the ground running. It's not just about the PISA scores. Every day our youth goes to school, but goes back home not learning anything...day in and day out, week after week, for so many years and decades making them 6 years behind their ASEAN peers. He should take note of the initiatives of Vic Limlingan and put the idea of decentralizing the behemoth bureaucracy of Deped...fast! While waiting for July 19, he should personally experience Synergiea's work as Dr. Nene Guevarra is no stranger to him. Tie excellent education and good governance together. He could also consider creating Charter Schools (ask Vic Limlingan). He should surround himself with selfless, progressive thinking people who are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and get the work done. Most importantly, he should take to heart the findings of his own EDCOM 2 and follow their recommendations. Be strong and clear-minded Sir Sonny. There is hope for Dep-ed after all.

Senator Angara should make sure that climate and plastic education are included in the elementary and secondary school curriculum and not just a side topic. There are a lot of NGOs to partner with for the full integration of these subject matters.

First off, I hope the new secretary is a morally good person (hindi corrupt at self serving). That said, I hope he will mandate to strengthen the values ed/character educ program in our schools. Voter's Education should also be integrated, as well as Citizenship education. It is high time that the schools need to fight disinformation being propagated by duterte and marcos camps. But above all, there should be a subject on Family Education from K-senior high since the family is the most crucial institution in any society, therefore, should be a core subject. We need to go back to the basics and help save the Filipinos against themselves.

I wish Senator Angara would make DepEd's plans, 2025 budget proposal, and accomplishment reports readily available to the Public through its website.

In order for him to be effective, this leader should have a good vision of new department and his new appointment as Secretary.

He should make his SALN readily available upon FOI request.