DAYS before a new Secretary formally takes over, five top officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) gave up their respective posts in what many see as more of a mass resignation.
Among those who resigned were DepEd spokesperson Undersecretary Michael Poa, Undersecretary for Administration Nolasco Mempin, Assistant Secretary Sunshine Fajarda, Assistant Secretary for Procurement Reynold Munsayac, and Assistant Secretary for Administration Noel Baluyan
Sought for comment, Poa however denied mass resignation and insisted that there is nothing unusual with quitting the post, to allow the incoming Education Secretary to pick people who would form his team.
“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 in a Viber message.
Meanwhile, Angara confirmed Puo’s resignation. He however clarified he has yet to receive a formal tender.
“Verbal pa lang, undersecretary Poa told me that he’s leaving and he’s waiting for instructions from the vice president (Sara Duterte),” Angara said in an ambush interview earlier in the day.
Angara will officially assume as Education Secretary starting July 19, the same effectivity date stipulated in Vice President Sara Duterte’s resignation as DepEd chief. (ANGEL F. JOSE)
