Vice President Sara Duterte has suggested that the shortage of classrooms during her tenure as Education Secretary may have been tied to her refusal to allow lawmakers to manage funds for school construction projects.
Speaking in the first episode of her program “Ibalik ang Tapang at Malasakit,” Duterte said she rejected proposals that would have placed the budget for classroom building under the House of Representatives.
She argued that lawmakers might prioritize political advantage over actual education needs.
“Hindi puwedeng kunin ng House of Representatives ang budget ng school building program kasi ikaw na congressman ka, ang prayoridad mo, dahil pulitiko ka, ay boto. Diba?” she said.
“So, ilalagay mo ‘yung paaralan na yan, ‘yung classroom na yan, kung saan ka makakakuha ng advantage sa boto.”
Duterte explained that she wanted the funds to remain with DepEd so regional directors and school superintendents could determine where classrooms were most needed.
“Kasi sila ‘yung nakakaalam talaga ng totohan ng pangangailangan doon sa baba,” she said.
“Hindi talaga. Hindi ako papayag na babuyin nila ‘yung trabaho ng Department of Education.”
She also raised concerns about funds being downloaded to local government units, warning that political involvement could turn projects into tools for electoral gain.
“Saka ‘yung pagdadownload ng pera sa local government unit para sa pagtayo ng mga classroom. Galing sa isang politiko, congressman, ibigay mo sa isang politiko, mayor, governor, anong mangyayari doon? Boto din, diba?” she said.
Duterte added that she refused to approve proposals she believed were wrong, even if it meant political backlash.
“Eh, kasi, pupirma ka doon, alam mong mali eh. Ayoko,” she said.
The Vice President further claimed that the same political forces behind the dispute later pushed impeachment efforts against her.
“Tumitira sila, pero hindi nilang magawang ituloy yun. Kasi parang tanga naman kasi, kung ang president ka, inaatake ‘yung DepEd secretary mo, tapos biglang may impeachment sa DepEd secretary mo. So hindi mangyayari na merong impeachment,” she said.