DepEd union bucks Representative Lapus as new secretary

THE Department of Education Employees Union is threatening to stage rallies nationwide and barricade DepEd’s central office in Pasig City if Malacañang appoints Rep. Jesli Lapus of Tarlac as the next education secretary.
Domingo Alidon, union president, told The Manila Times that they are opposing the appointment of any politician as education secretary.
Reports have surfaced that Malacañang is set to appoint Lapus to replace acting Secretary Fe Hidalgo.
The education department has been without a permanent secretary for a year since the resignation of Florencio Abad in 2005.
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers and other groups are supporting Undersecretary Hidalgo, who is the officer in charge, to be the next department chief.
Several petitions endorsing Hidalgo have been sent to Malacañang but the Palace, sources said, is bent on appointing Lapus and is waiting for the proper time to announce his appointment.
Lapus is the chairman of House Ways and Means Committee and vice chairman of the appropriations committee.
Alidon said the DepEd post would be used by politicians to further their political career. He said the next education secretary should be an educator who knows the “ins and outs” of the department.--Jonathan M. Hicap