Statement of Malacañang on Vice Pres. Sara Duterte Comparing PH Education with those in Abroad
Malacañang reacted to the criticisms of Vice President Sara Duterte against the education in the Philippines during her speech at an event in Kuwait.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte recently flew to Kuwait for an authorized trip as confirmed by her office. According to the OVP, Duterte’s travel does not violate any law and it is aligned to her mandate as vice president. The statement of the Vice President’s office came amid the criticisms against her for her frequent trips abroad.
After the 2025 Midterm Elections, Vice Pres. Duterte has been to four (4) countries abroad in less than a month. She went to Doha, Qatar where she met with some of the Duterte supporters there and then flew to The Hague, Netherlands where her father is currently detained.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte is under the custody of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands for over five (5) months now. He is faced with an accusation of crimes against humanity over his administration’s drug war.
The younger Duterte also went to Malaysia where she attended a Philippine Independence Day event celebration together with her two (2) allies in the Senate, senators Robin Padilla and Imee Marcos. She also visited Australia and joined the Free Duterte Now rally. Malacañang previously said it is already the Vice President’s choice if she prefers to be busy with her travels.
During her recent trip to Kuwait, the Vice President spoke at the Hakbang ng Maisug event. In her speech, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte compared the PH education with those in abroad. According to her, the country is stuck in “paper and pencil” and struggles in keeping up with modernization.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte also cited an example saying that kids who are three (3) to four (4) years old in other countries already know how to read. However, according to her, in the Philippines, there are some high school students who still do not know how to read.
Recently, Malacañang press officer undersecretary Claire Castro reacted to the criticisms of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte against the Philippine education. Based on a post on Inquirer, the Palace office stressed that the Vice President was given by Pres. Bongbong Marcos his trust and the chance to lead the education department.
“Binigyan po siya ng pagkakataon, pinagkatiwalaan po siya ng Pangulo since 2022 hanggang 2024 para maging DepEd secretary. Dalawang taon halos na siya ay dapat nagtrabaho,” the Malacañang press officer said.
According to Castro, whatever Vice Pres. Sara Duterte is complaining about should have been solved during her term as the DepEd secretary. Based on the post, the Malacañang press officer said that her complaints allegedly reflects that she is “a complete failure” as a chief of the education department.
“Kung ano man ang kanyang nirereklamo dapat natupad na po sana niya ito sa kanyang panahon. Ang pagtitiwalang ito ay sa kanyang reklamo ngayon nag-rereflect lamang na bilang siya ay naging DepEd Secretary ay a complete failure,” Castro said.
Not only the Malacañang but several lawmakers and ordinary citizens reacted to the criticisms of the Vice President against the PH education. A House solon called Vice Pres. Sara Duterte the “worst DepEd secretary ever” following her “paper and pencil” remarks.