MANILA (UCAN): “While many Filipino children cannot go to school because education is no longer accessible—school supplies are expensive, food is costly, and uniforms, bags, and other needs are unaffordable—[Philippine vice president] Sara Duterte is focused on boosting her public image and covering up her failures as the former secretary of the Department of Education [DepEd],” said Miguel Gonzales, national spokesperson of Salinlahi for Children’s Concerns.
Instead of funding the publication of her children’s book, the group demanded a higher budget for social services for children and the Filipino people.
Salinlahi, a progressive children’s organisation advocating for children’s rights, believes that the book, authored by Duterte and titled “Isang Kaibigan” [a friend], is a publicly funded public relations stunt, with a proposed budget worth 10 million pesos [US$517,160].
During Duterte’s tenure as the secretary of DepEd, she faced criticism for failing to address major problems in the education sector. These issues included a shortage of at least 91,000 classrooms for the school year 2022-2023, the widespread red-tagging of teachers’ organizations, and a shortage of teachers in the public education system.
Gonzales reminded the vice president that many children are still suffering from the “flawed Matatag curriculum” which she touted as the solution to the education crisis. “You are even using the Filipino children to pursue your ambition of restoring your reputation.”
While many Filipino children cannot go to school because education is no longer accessible—school supplies are expensive, food is costly, and uniforms, bags, and other needs are unaffordable—[Philippine vice president] Sara Duterte is focused on boosting her public image and covering up her failures as the former secretary of the Department of Education [DepEd] Miguel Gonzales, Sanlahi for Children’s Concerns
The Matatag curriculum, launched under Duterte’s tenure, aims to “produce competent, job-ready, active, responsible, and patriotic citizens.” It streamlines the original seven subjects into five key areas for students from Kindergarten to Grade 10. Subjects include language, reading and literacy, mathematics, nationalism, good manners and right conduct.
A survey of 3,679 respondents revealed that implementing the Matatag curriculum has increased teachers’ workloads by 30 per cent, making their jobs more burdensome. The curriculum was also previously condemned due to replacing the term “Marcos dictatorship” with “dictatorship” in the Social Science subject, which historians say is an attempt to distort history.
Salinlahi urged Duterte to address more pressing needs in the education sector, particularly the publication and enhancement of textbooks. They are also challenged the administration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to prioritise the improvement of basic social services.
In the 2025 proposed national budget, the education sector has been allocated the highest budget, standing at 977.6 billion pesos [US$17.3 billion], followed by public works under the Department of Public Works and Highways at 900 billion pesos [US$15.9 billion].
Notably, the allocation for the publication of Duterete’s children’s book was questioned at a Senate budget hearing on August 20, where Duterte and a senator, Risa Hontiveros, clashed in a heated discussion.
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“This is an example of politicising the budget hearing through the questions of a senator. Her problem is, my name is listed in the book. And we will be giving that book to the children. And those children have parents who will be voting. And my name will be spread wherever the book is given,” Duterte huffed when asked about the context of the book.
“For the record, this involves public funds. And we’re making inquiries about them. This is a budget hearing. Not everything is about you,” Hontiveros retorted.
