TEACHERS’ Dignity Coalition Chairperson Benjo Basas described President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s statement about needing more time to choose the next Department of Education Secretary as “positive”.

“Sa tingin namin…medyo positive po ito kasi ibig sabihin pinag-iisipan nang mabuti ng Pangulo at isa pa, puwede nating sabihin na siya ay nakikinig sa clamour,” Basas said in a radio interview.

Marcos has not yet decided who will be the next DepEd Secretary.

Meanwhile, Basas emphasized that the next DepEd Secretary should not be a politician.

“Kapag politiko kasi may consideration ‘yan doon sa eleksiyon, sa electoral consideration, malaki. Tapos maraming kaaway, ‘pag maraming kaaway ‘yung politiko, kahit magaganda ‘yung programa ng Department of Education pero dahil nga politiko ang namumuno, ‘yung kanyang mga kaaway it is always perceived na ginagawa niya ‘yung magagandang programa ng DepEd sa pamumulitika,” he explained.

Senate President Chiz Escudero mentioned on Monday that he recommended Senator Angara to be the next DepEd chief.

“I am one of the first, if not the first, to actually recommend him to become the DepEd Secretary, given his competence, track record, and experience in education,” Escudero said.