Shawne Marion Manalo

The Department of Education (DepEd) is experiencing a major shakeup as five key officials, including spokesperson Michael Poa, have stepped down from their positions, effective July 19.


The resignations come ahead of former Sen. Sonny Angara’s assumption of the DepEd Secretary post.

Poa cited the need to give Angara the liberty in choosing his staff.

“I think it is only appropriate to give the incoming Secretary of Education, Secretary Angara, a free hand to choose the people that will form part of his team,” Poa said in an interview on July 16.

Poa was first welcomed as the Department's spokesperson by Vice President and former education secretary Sara Duterte back in July 26, 2022 when she became the DepEd secretary.

Other than Poa, the other staff who stepped down are Retired Maj. Gen. Nolasco Mempin (DepEd Undersecretary for Administration), Reynold Munsayac, (Assistant Secretary for Procurement), Retired Brig. Gen. Noel Baluyan, (Assistant Secretary for Administration) and Sunshine Fajarda, (DepEd Assistant Secretary of the Secretaries' Office).

All outgoing officials were appointed by Duterte during her time as the department's secretary, with officials like Munsayac who is currently acting as the Office of the Vice President’s spokesperson.

The initial appointment of previous military personnel like Mempin and Baluyan were first frowned upon by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers in 2022, who considered them ‘a threat to teachers’ democratic rights.’

“Their appointment will not in any way help in our overall endeavor to address the continuing education crises in the country,” the ACT said in a statement in June 2022.

They have vocalized their content with Duterte’s resignation in DepEd, saying that this is “one thorn less in the side of the teachers and the education sector.”

Shortly after his appointment, Angara has expressed that he is “very much open to collaborating” with the current DepEd officials to build on the policies Duterte has started.