VP Sara Duterte Resigned From the Marcos Cabinet—What Now?
Plus, why her resignation is a big deal.
(SPOT.ph) Vice President Sara Duterte resigned from her posts as Secretary of Education and Vice Chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on June 19. Her resignation is effective July 19. So, what happens now?
Duterte initially did not give a reason for her move to step down from the Marcos Cabinet. At a later press briefing, however, the VP clarified that her resignation was not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of her genuine concern for teachers and students.
"Mga kababayan, ang aking pagbibitiw ay hindi lulan ng kahinaan kundi dala ng tunay na malasakit para sa ating mga guro at kabataang Pilipino," Duterte said. "Bagama’t hindi ako magpapatuloy na mamamahala sa Kagawaran, patuloy pa rin nating itataguyod ang kalidad ng edukasyon na nararapat para sa Pilipino.”
The collapse of the Marcos-Duterte alliance has been, as Reuters called it, “long expected.” First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos recently expressed ill feelings towards Duterte after the latter's father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, called PBBM a drug user.
In April, Sara Duterte acknowledged the First Lady's resentment but asserted that personal feelings will not interfere with her official duties as Vice President.
"Karapatan ni Unang Ginang Liza Marcos na makaramdam ng sama ng loob at galit. Subalit ang kanyang personal na damdamin ay walang kinalaman sa aking mandato bilang isang opisyal ng pamahalaan," the Vice President said, adding that in order for everyone to move forward, "iiwan na natin sa isang pribadong pag-uusap sa pagitan lamang namin ni Pangulong 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. ang mga susunod na hakbang.”
What happens when a cabinet member resigns?
Cabinet resignations are pretty common in the Philippines, with health issues, controversies, or political disagreements as typical reasons.
When a cabinet member resigns, the president has the power to appoint a new official to fill the vacancy, a move that is subject to approval from the Commission on Appointments under Article VII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. This appointment can be immediate or temporary, depending on the availability of a suitable replacement.
The Presidential Communication Office (PCO) has yet to announce who will succeed Duterte as the Secretary of the Department of Education.
Other notable cabinet resignations over the years include Florencio “Butch” Abad, the Secretary of Budget and Management under President Benigno Aquino III from 2010 to 2016. He resigned due to controversies over the Disbursement Acceleration Program, which was declared partially unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Aquino rejected his resignation then, stating that “to accept his resignation is to assign to him a wrong.”
Another is that of Wanda Teo, Secretary of Tourism from 2016 to 2018 . She resigned amid allegations of conflict of interest related to a P60-million tourism advertisement deal.
Also read: Who are Bongbong Marcos' Cabinet Secretaries?
Who are other members of the Marcos Cabinet?
The Philippine Cabinet is composed of the heads of executive departments, appointed by the president upon the approval of the Commission on Appointments.
Cabinet members are entrusted to help the president on the various issues, such as foreign policy, finances, agriculture, social welfare, education, national defense, among many others. Appointments are usually based on their expertise, loyalty, and alignment with the president’s vision for the country.
Here are a few of the key people in the Marcos cabinet as of 2024:
- Executive Secretary: Lucas Bersamin
- Secretary of Foreign Affairs: Enrique Manalo
- Secretary of Finance: Ralph Recto
- Secretary of National Defense: Gilbert Teodoro Jr.
- Secretary of Justice: Jesus Crispin Remulla
- Secretary of Health: Teodoro Herbosa
Cabinet members can also be removed by the president at any time. Such is the case with Ismael Sueno, the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government under President Rodrigo Duterte from 2016 to 2017, who was fired over allegations of corruption.
Also read: Juan Ponce Enrile, 98, Appointed to Bongbong Marcos Cabinet