Leni Robredo for DepEd Secretary? Ex-VP Eyes Naga Mayoralty in 2025

MANILA – As rumors circulate online suggesting that former Vice President Leni Robredo could be appointed to replace Vice President Sara Duterte as Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), Albay 1st District Representative and Liberal Party (LP) President Edcel Lagman stated that they are not anticipating such an offer from the Marcos administration. However, should an offer be made, Lagman said it would be carefully considered.

In a recent discussion, Lagman mentioned that Robredo is currently planning to run for mayor of Naga City in the 2025 elections.

“We’re not expecting the President to offer her this position. But if such an offer comes, it will be carefully studied, and it would be an opportunity for our Vice President to continue serving the people,” Lagman shared.

Lagman, along with lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc, emphasized the need for a new DepEd Secretary with a strong background in education who can address the country’s educational challenges, rather than choosing someone based on political considerations.

“We hope that whoever is appointed as the new Secretary of Education is truly an education advocate—someone with experience and dedication to the field. They should understand the problems within the education system and know how to solve them,” Lagman added.

ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro echoed the sentiment, urging President Marcos to avoid political appointments in favor of someone who is qualified and committed to addressing the country’s educational crisis. “We need an Education Secretary who has genuine concern for teachers, supports salary increases, and advocates for benefits and other needs,” Castro said.

Sara Duterte’s Resignation from Marcos Cabinet Sparks Political Debate

Meanwhile, the resignation of Vice President Sara Duterte from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s cabinet has fueled speculation about her potential role as a new opposition leader. Opposition lawmakers, however, have criticized the idea, asserting that Duterte does not meet the criteria for such a position.

Lagman dismissed the notion of welcoming Duterte into the Liberal Party, citing fundamental ideological differences. “Our ideological principles are incompatible, so it’s difficult to say that the door is open for Sara Duterte. There is no ideological affinity between the Liberal Party and Vice President Sara Duterte,” he explained.

He further stated that the Liberal Party remains the “genuine opposition,” committed to upholding constitutionalism, promoting good governance, and advocating for human rights, principles he believes are absent from the political track record of the Duterte family and the now-defunct UniTeam alliance.

Makabayan lawmakers also voiced their opposition to Duterte being considered as an opposition leader. ACT Teachers’ France Castro pointed out that Duterte has never opposed major policies such as the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization program and has been accused of contributing to red-tagging efforts through her role as Vice Chair of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

“She continues to support policies of the Marcos administration, so she cannot be considered opposition. She remains part of the ruling elite that continues to oppress the people,” Castro added.

Gabriela party-list Representative Arlene Brosas echoed similar concerns, noting that an opposition leader must have a strong record of public service and advocate for human rights and ordinary Filipinos. “Clearly, Vice President Sara Duterte does not meet these criteria to be considered a legitimate opposition leader,” she said.

Kabataan party-list Representative Raoul Manuel also criticized the idea of a “fake opposition” led by Duterte, questioning her stance on issues like the NTF-ELCAC’s abolition and the jeepney phase-out policy under the Marcos administration. “If her views align with the current administration, she is not a true opposition,” Manuel stated.