MANILA 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua has called for Vice President Sara Duterte to step down as secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), citing a need for accountability and decency.

“She cannot have the best of both worlds by being a fence sitter while her family and their allies challenge the authority and mandate of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. while having little to show for in terms of substantive results at the Department of Education, where she is Secretary,” Chua, a lawyer stressed.

“Nearly two years after assumption to the Office of the Vice President, it is time for accountability for VP Sara Duterte and the Duterte family,” according to Chua.

“The Vice President should show some decency by resigning from her DepEd post at the very least,” Chua said.

Chua criticized Duterte for remaining passive amidst a series of verbal attacks on the President by her family, accusing her of enjoying the privileges of her office at the same time.

“Her family unleashed a barrage of insults and attacks directly to the President, and yet she does nothing and is still enjoying the perks of being part of the official family,” he said.

“She should draw the line instead of pretending to be a full partner of the President,” Chua pointed out.

Additionally, the legislator highlighted Duterte’s silence on the Chinese territorial encroachments in the West Philippine Sea.

“VP Duterte has been woefully silent as our sovereignty and national patrimony in the West Philippine Sea and EEZ have been challenged with ship blockades and aggressive maneuvers against our fisherfolk, Coast Guard, BFAR, and NAMRIA” Chua said.

He criticized her educational initiatives, particularly “Catch-Up Fridays” at DepEd schools, as ineffective and unproductive.

Chua pointed out that learning gaps worsened by the pandemic are still exacerbated by the continued use of modules and online classes, which he deemed ineffective.

“The so-called Catch-Up Fridays at DepEd schools have been a waste of time with no real results to show,” Chua said. “Learning deficits from the pandemic are worsened by the continuing resort to modules and online classes which were ineffective during the pandemic and are still ineffective now.”

Meanwhile, Presidential Adviser on Poverty Alleviation Secretary Larry Gadon has advised VP Sara to re-examine her position saying she should be with the President in facing the challenges of the country.

Gadon was reacting to instances where the second highest official of the land was seen in several events – a decision he described as “ill-advised.”

VP Sara showed up in the recent “peace rally” or “prayer rally” organized by Duterte supporters.

The Vice President, according to the presidential adviser, might have only been swayed by people around her that is why she was attended those rallies.

In a video message that went viral, Gadon said that VP Sara’s move did not sit well with First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos.

The relationship between VP Duterte and Mrs. Marcos he added, has really turned sour and that in one instance the First Lady stated; “bad shot na yan sa akin.”

Gadon said he sympathized with the President’s wife who seemed hurt by the turn of events where VP Sara showed up in two “anti-Marcos” rallies.

He pointed out that the presence of the vice president during the so-called “peace rally” or “prayer rally” led by Duterte supporters, is more like a “destabilization” effort.”

“Peace rally, Prayer rally, turned destabilization rally. Where can you find a peace, prayer rally where everyone is saying bad things about the national leader, the president at that?” Gadon asked.

“I understand what (FL) she feel. Dahil ang mga nangyayari sa ngayon ay nagpakita na masakit sa kanya. Sukdulan na,” he stressed.

The Palace official added that “of course (the) FL is hurt, hearing those things, when in fact she is seeing the hardship of her husband, trying all his best for the country,” Gadon said.

“Masakit talaga iyon. Meron mga taong supposed to be kasama nila at nagkocooperate sa kanila sa pagtahak ng parehong direksiyon ng gobyerno, pero taliwas naman ang ginagawa,” Gadon said referring to VP Sara’s presence in two separate ‘peace, prayer rallies’.

Gadon added: “Siguro I would suggest na si Vice President Inday Sara, na kaibigan din natin at kasa-kasama do sa campaign ay i-reexamine nya yung kanyang posisyon sapagkat the Vice President should be one with the President in facing the challenges of our country.”