Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has accepted the courtesy resignation of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Prospero de Vera III, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin announced Thursday. De Vera will be replaced by CHED Commissioner Shirley Agrupis, a former president of the Mariano Marcos State University in Ilocos Norte, as revealed in a press briefing in Malaca±ang.

According to Philippines News Agency, De Vera was appointed as CHED Commissioner in 2016, became the officer-in-charge of the agency in January 2018, and was officially appointed as chairperson in October 2018 by then president Rodrigo Duterte. He was reappointed by President Marcos in 2022. Bersamin stated that the leadership change in CHED would provide the agency a 'fresh start.'

De Vera expressed his gratitude to the President for the opportunity to advance education reforms in the country. He acknowledged the trust and opportunity given to him to continue with the educational reforms in higher education during his tenure as commissioner and chairman. De Vera also conveyed his commitment to supporting the nation's educational goals even after stepping down from his post.

De Vera also welcomed the new chairperson of the commission, expressing his congratulations to Commissioner Shirley Agrupis on her new role. During De Vera's leadership, CHED ensured the proper implementation of Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Education law, which provides free tuition and other school fees programs to Filipino tertiary students. His tenure also saw efforts to boost the internationalization of Philippine higher education institutions, including sponsorship programs for university officials' travel for immersion and program adoption, as well as workshops for global ranking requirements and compliance.