Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara officially took over the reins of the Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday, succeeding Vice President Sara Duterte who resigned from the agency last month.
During the turnover ceremony held at the DepEd Complex in Pasig City, the Vice President said she will no longer accept any Cabinet posts under the Marcos administration.
She said she will “remain in her office in Mandaluyong” where she will attend to her official projects.
Duterte handed over the DepEd Seal and Flag to Angara, marking the transition of leadership at the department.
The former senator, now the country’s 37th Education Secretary, expressed his gratitude and commitment to improving the Philippine education system during his inaugural speech.
“It is a great honor that President Marcos has bestowed upon me to serve as Secretary of the Department of Education,” Angara said.
He also paid tribute to his predecessor and other outgoing DepEd officials for their dedication and service.
“For the past two years, you were there for our students and teachers to lean on during challenging times. We will build from what you have already started,” he said.
Duterte, in her farewell speech, said her vision began with a “dream” as she highlighted her accomplishments, including the implementation of MATATAG agenda, the National Learning Recovery Program, and the return of face-to-face classes.
In an interview after the ceremony, Duterte said she will also be watching the State of the Nation Address on Monday in Manila after earlier announcing she will not attend the event.
She said she does not intend to react to the upcoming speech of the President, adding that she’ll be leaving it up to the administration’s critics.
As for the elections, Duterte said she will stay out of the midterm polls, disclosing that she turned down requests from both the administration and her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, to support their respective candidates.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Angara assumes DepEd leadership in simple turnover rites”
