Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte called on local chief executives (LCEs) on Tuesday not to use schools and the teachers in activities organized by the local government units (LGUs).
In her message during the 2023 League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) General Assembly at The Manila Hotel on February 21, 2023, Duterte reminded the teachers that they must be teaching and not doing anything else, especially outside of our schools.
“Isisingit ko po dito yung pakikiusap namin sa ating mga local chief executives na kung pwede ay wag po nating gamitin ang ating mga paaralan at ang ating mga teachers sa ating mga aktibidad ng ating mga local government unit,” she said.
Duterte also ordered the teachers, principals, division superintendents, including assistant regional directors (ARDs) and regional directors in the Department of Education (DepEd) to be professional in their work.
“Dito po kami nakikiusap sa ating mga kaibigan na mga local chief executives na kailangan po namin na iexplain sa inyo na ang kalidad ng edukasyon ay mayroon pong connection sa kalidad ng teachers na hina-hire ng Department of Education. Unang-una po kapag hindi natin sinusunod ang ranking ng ating mga teachers dahil po merong pinipili ang ating mga politicians at pine-pursue natin sa sa loob ng Department of Education, hindi po natin talaga mababago ang kalidad ng edukasyon ng ating bayan. Kaya po kami ay nakikiusap na sundin po natin ang ranking sa ating pagpili sa mga teachers at hindi po dapat nating pinipilit kung sino yung kakilala, kaibigan, kamag-anak natin sa pagpapasok o hiring ng ating mga teachers sa Department of Education,” she said.
She reiterated that teachers, principals, superintendents, regional directors, and assistant regional directors to be professional in their work and not side with any politicians and reminded elected public officials, that it is not the teachers and principals who can win them in the election.
“Ang makakapagpanalo po sa inyo sa eleksyon ay ang trabaho ninyo at ang sinseridad ninyo na maipakita sa taumbayan ng inyong mga munisipalidad na gusto nyo ng pagbabago o transformative change in your respective localities — yan po ang magpapanalo sa inyo sa susunod na eleksyon,” she said.
She urged LCEs to remain true to the call of public service, foster lasting progress within the communities, and carry on with the crucial task of nation-building with the utmost integrity and democratic accountability.
