Presumptive president-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said his first appointee will be that of his running mate, vice president-apparent Sara Duterte-Carpio, as Education Secretary.
Marcos made the announcement Wednesday evening, following an earlier statement from Duterte-Carpio’s spokesperson that she would like to take on the Department of National Defense portfolio.
“I think I am already authorized to announce the first nominee that we will be giving to the Commission on Appointments when the time comes should I be proclaimed, and that is our incoming Vice President has agreed to take the brief of the Department of Education,” Marcos said.
“I asked Inday Sara if she can handle the job because the work of the Secretary of Education is difficult, but she agreed to this. I think, because she is a mother, and she wants to make sure that her children are well-trained by educators, that is the best motivation,” he added.
Earlier in the day, Duterte-Carpio’s spokesperson, Liloan town mayor Christina Frasco, said the presumptive vice president would like to head the Department of National Defense, a proposal that was earlier described by Marcos in January as a “good idea.”
“Sara has indicated she would be interested in the Department of National Defense and of course she’s here to fully support the administration of Bongbong Marcos,” Frasco said.
In one of her campaign sorties in February, Duterte-Carpio underscored the need to ensure quality education, which she said is the backbone of good employment.
“Education doesn’t only mean a college degree. It should include skills training because you can be employed even without a degree,” she said.
In January, Duterte said she will talk to Congress to make military service mandatory for all Filipinos once they turn 18 years old.
With 98.31 percent of the election results tallied, Duterte-Carpio has cemented a wide lead over her political rivals with 31.54 million votes.
In a statement, she thanked all her supporters for rallying behind her in her vice-presidential bid under the UniTeam banner.
“Thank you so much for believing and trusting in my decision to run for Vice President. Thank you for accepting the unity movement offered by Bongbong Marcos. The UniTeam will be a symbol of brave, persevering, and united Filipinos,” she said.