5 DepEd execs leaving this week

Five ranking officials of the Department of Education are leaving the agency with Vice President and outgoing DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte this week, giving incoming education secretary and outgoing Sen.

- NEIL JAYSON SERVALLOS

Sonny Angara a free hand to choose members of his executive committee.

Undersecretary and chief-ofstaff Michael Poa made the announcement on Tuesday ahead of Duterte’s last day in office on Thursday, saying he was among the officials who have resigned.

“Our resignations are effective July 19, 2024… I think it is only appropriate to give the incoming secretary of education, Secretary Angara, a free hand to choose the people that will form part of his team,” Poa told reporters.

Angara announced the courtesy resignations last Sunday, but did not give further details on the officials’ names, ranks and reasons for resigning.

Sought for comment on the matter, Angara said he has already started drawing up names for his shortlist for their replacements.

“(The) search is ongoing as we speak,” he told The STAR.

He added that he would announce new appointees soon.

Also leaving with Poa are the two retired Philippine Army generals that Duterte appointed to her executive committee last year: retired Maj. Gen. Nolasco Mempin and retired Brig. Gen. Noel Baluyan.

Mempin is the undersecretary for administration while Baluyan is assistant secretary for administration.