MANILA, Philippines — Vice President and outgoing Education Secretary Sara Duterte was a no-show at the opening ceremony of the Palarong Pambansa 2024 held in Cebu City yesterday, even if the Department of Education (DepEd) is the primary government agency tasked to lead the event in partnership with the Cebu provincial government.
The ceremony would have been the first public event of President Marcos and Duterte together since the Vice President resigned from the Cabinet last June 19.
It also took place exactly a week after Marcos announced that Sen. Sonny Angara would succeed Duterte as the DepEd chief.
Responding to reporters’ queries on Duterte’s absence at the annual sporting event, DepEd spokesman and Undersecretary Michael Poa said that Duterte opted to visit athletes confined in a hospital yesterday afternoon “to boost their morale.”
At least two student athletes set to compete in the Palaro were hospitalized due to dengue, based on local news reports.
“She did not attend the (Palarong Pambansa) opening,” Poa confirmed to reporters in Manila inquiring about the event.
In a message posted on her Facebook account and released by the DepEd to the media, Duterte congratulated the competing athletes and schools as well as the Cebu provincial government.
She extended her wishes for the success of the initiatives launched by the DepEd under her term, especially those aimed at improving the quality of education.
“As we open the Palarong Pambasa 2024 in Cebu City today, I am praying and hoping for the success of our endeavors to promote appropriate, timely and quality education for the Filipino youth,” she said in her statement written in Filipino.
Duterte is set to end her term as education secretary on July 19. She did not cite reasons for quitting her post.
Before her resignation, the relationship between Duterte’s family and the Marcoses turned sour, to the point that her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, and the President were already trading barbs in public.
First Lady Liza Marcos later revealed that she was no longer in good terms with the Vice President because the latter laughed after the elder Duterte had accused the President of being high on drugs.
Marcos at Palaro
Marcos, on the other hand, graced the event and congratulated the competing athletes, coaches and school officials in his speech.
The President was accompanied by local officials led by Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia during the Palaro opening, which brought together about 13,000 delegates from the country’s 17 regions.
In his speech, Marcos described the Palarong Pambansa as “the country’s pinnacle of national sporting events.”
“This event is more than just an inter-school, inter-regional competition; it is also a platform where we discover, where we develop and hone future professional athletes, Olympians and servant-leaders,” he said.
“Of the 541 athletes competing in this year’s Palarong Pambansa, I am certain many will become record-holders and champions in their respective fields, not only on the national level, but I’m sure, also internationally,” he added.
Marcos said this year’s tournament marks the debut of athletes from the National Academy of Sports and Philippine Overseas Schools and the integration of technology in web platforms, social media, game statistics and live streaming.
He added that the weeklong competition would showcase not only the mental and physical fortitude of athletes, but also the “fortitude and strength of the Filipino heart and the Filipino spirit.”
“To all our athletes, let this serve as your training ground and demonstrate the unwavering spirit, talent and dedication of all young Filipinos,” Marcos said.
“It is your moment to shine. Participate actively in your events, play with pride, tenacity, play with integrity. Show the Filipino’s indomitable character, our graciousness in defeat and our magnanimity in victory. In this way, you will bring pride to the schools and regions that you represent,” he added.
For the President, the participants’ hard work and determination have made them “true champions” in the hearts and minds of their families, schools and communities, regardless of the outcome of the competitions.
In the same speech, he ordered agencies to assist the areas in Cebu affected by heavy rains last Monday that resulted in flash foods, structural collapse and damage to property.
“Rest assured, national and local governments are working closely to bring speedy help to those who are affected by the heavy rains, especially in Carmen, in Minglanilla and Cebu,” the Marcos said.
“I also direct the Office of the President and the (Department of Social Welfare and Development) to provide assistance to the local government units affected by the flooding. We include all those affected in our thoughts and in our prayers,” he added.