MANILA — Malacañang stressed that the Department of Education (DepEd) is actively addressing irregularities left during former Vice President Sara Duterte’s tenure as agency chief.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said criticisms by Duterte on the current administration reflect lapses that occurred while she led DepEd.

“Let us look who’s talking,” Castro said during a Palace briefing.

“Mukhang tumama naman po siya dahil siya bilang secretary ng DepEd, naitalaga siya ng Pangulo, pinagtiwalaan siya ng Pangulo pero sa bandang huli, aamin pala ang Bise Presidente na siya ay walang kaalam-alam sa pagiging DepEd Secretary,” she added.
(It seems like she was right because as Secretary of DepEd, she was appointed and trusted by the President, but in the end, the Vice President would admit that she had no idea about being DepEd Secretary.)

Castro cited unresolved cases of “ghost students, ghost vouchers, ghost food packs, ghost laptops, ghost school materials,” which are now being addressed under Secretary Sonny Angara.

“Lahat ng multong ito ng Bise Presidente noong siya ay DepEd Secretary huwag niyang ipahid kay Pangulo,” she said.
(All these ghosts of the Vice President when she was DepEd Secretary shouldn’t be blamed on the President.)

The Palace also assured that due process will be observed in the upcoming impeachment proceedings against Duterte, set for March 2 to 4.

“Dapat proseso, due process at kung ano ang inilalahad ng ebidensiya,” Castro said.
(Due process and evidence will prevail.)

(PNA)