Manila: Malaca±ang branded Vice President Sara Duterte's stint as education secretary a 'complete failure' after she criticized the Philippines' lagging education system. In a press briefing Wednesday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Duterte's claim that the country remains stuck in 'paper and pencil' learning methods only mirrors her shortcomings while leading the Department of Education (DepEd).

According to Philippines News Agency, Castro emphasized that Duterte was given the opportunity to lead the education department, entrusted by the President from 2022 to 2024. Castro remarked, "Binigyan po siya ng pagkakataon, pinakatiwalaan siya ng Pangulo since 2022 hanggang 2024 para maging DepEd Secretary. Dalawang taon halos na siya ay dapat nagtrabaho (She was given the chance, she was entrusted by the President from 2022 to 2024 to be DepEd Secretary. She had almost two years to work)."

Castro further criticized Duterte, stating that any issues she currently complains about should have been resolved during her tenure. "'Kung ano man ang kanyang nirereklamo dapat natupad sana niya ito sa kanyang panahon (Whatever she is complaining about now should have been addressed during her time),' she added.

Castro also noted that Duterte's criticisms reflect her own failures as a former DepEd secretary, describing her tenure as a "complete failure." "Sa kanyang reklamo ngayon nagrereflect lamang -bilang siya ay dating DepEd secretary- ay complete failure (Her complaints now only reflect -as a former DepEd secretary- a complete failure)."

She assured the public that Education Secretary Juan Edgardo 'Sonny' Angara is now addressing the issues left behind and is actively pushing for long-needed reforms. These include the distribution of more than a million laptops, gadgets, and teaching materials procured in 2020 but only utilized in 2024 under his watch.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. appointed Duterte as education secretary upon their assumption of office on June 30, 2022. She stepped down in June 2024.