Inside and Out

 

                                                  (photo: Inday Sara Duterte Facebook page)

She resigned.

There are two things that this writer underscore: the courage of leaving a secured place and the familiarity of an insider.

The Philippine Star reported on June 19, 2024: Vice President Sara Duterte tendered her resignation as Department of Education secretary, dislodging herself from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s Cabinet after a year of flaring political tensions between both of their families. The vice president refused to answer why she stepped down from the position.

Comments on social media were flooded with both fair and unfair comments. Some make sense, others are nonsense.

The reported political tensions between the Duterte and Marcos families could have created a challenging working environment. Power struggles and conflicting interests within the Cabinet may have hindered effective collaboration and governance. The lack of alignment on key policy issues or personal political ambitions could have exacerbated these tensions, leading to her resignation.

Disagreements over educational policies or the administration's approach to education reform may have played a role. As DepEd Secretary, Duterte would have been responsible for significant educational initiatives and reforms. Divergence in visions or strategies with President Marcos Jr. and his administration could have made her position untenable.

And we do not discredit the personal reason she has like family matters as important. The stress and demands of holding dual roles as Vice President and DepEd Secretary are considerable, and personal factors often play a crucial role in such decisions.

Then we hear comments from non-DepEd people questioning her credibility as the secretary of education…

According to Zaccaro et al. (2018), insiders can provide a more accurate and contextualized assessment of a leader's performance, as they are directly involved in the operational dynamics and organizational culture that shape leadership actions. In contrast, non-insiders tend to rely on generalized observations and secondary information, which may lack the depth and specificity required to fully comprehend the intricacies of an individual's tenure and impact within an organization.

As insiders of the Department of Education, we have nuanced understanding of VP Sara’s leadership style, decision-making processes, and specific contributions to educational reforms.

Let us conclude our discussion at this point. The reasons behind her resignation are significant to her personal and political dynamics. We must continue to fulfil our assigned responsibilities. While democracy grants us the freedom to express ourselves, it is imperative that we also commit to thoughtful and informed deliberation of our thoughts.

A lack of informed knowledge poses a significant threat to the freedoms we currently enjoy.