Vice President Sara Duterte recently concluded her visit to Malaysia as part of her presidency of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (Seameo). During her visit, she had the opportunity to learn about early childhood education practices that could be adopted in her country, the Philippines. In a chance interview with reporters, Duterte expressed her gratitude to the Malaysian government for their support and shared her thoughts on the importance of early childhood education.
Duterte described her visit as productive, where she was able to explore the different branches of Seameo in Malaysia and visit an early-childhood vocational college in Kuala Lumpur. The Seameo Centers in Malaysia include the Regional Centre for Special Educational Needs (Seameo SEN), Regional Centre for Education in Science and Mathematics (Seameo Rescam), and the Tropical Medicine (Tropmed), Regional Centre for Microbiology, Parasitology, and Entomology.
“We are thankful to the Malaysian government for their support to Seameo and the country’s presidency. During our visit, we had the opportunity to witness the showcase at Seameo Tropmed and learn from an early childhood development course offered by a vocational college here,” Duterte stated.
Recognizing the significance of early childhood education, Duterte emphasized the need for the government to prioritize it, particularly for children aged zero to four. She expressed her intention to propose the establishment of a specialized school for early childhood education to the Early Childhood Development Council, chaired by the Department of Education.
During her visit, Duterte also took the time to meet with the Filipino community in Malaysia. She shared President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s message that the government continues to prioritize the welfare of overseas Filipinos, despite the distance from their families. The Vice President listened to the stories and concerns of the Filipino community, fostering a sense of connection and understanding.
Turning to domestic issues, Duterte addressed the allegations made by Arturo Lascanas, a self-proclaimed hitman of the Duterte Death Squad (DDS). Lascanas had accused Duterte of being one of the masterminds behind Oplan Tokhang during the controversial war on drugs under her father’s administration. Duterte stated that she does not intend to file cases against Lascanas and chose not to engage in a legal battle.
Regarding the possibility of an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for her father, Duterte mentioned that she had not discussed it with him. She acknowledged that her father has access to legal experts who understand the implications of the case.
Lastly, Duterte declined to comment on the call by the “Young Guns” bloc at the House of Representatives to encourage her family to engage in dialogue with Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on certain matters. While refraining from providing a direct response, her decision indicates that she will handle such matters with careful consideration and discretion.
Vice President Sara Duterte’s visit to Malaysia provided her with valuable insights into early childhood education practices. Her commitment to prioritizing this field and proposing the establishment of a specialized school demonstrates her dedication to improving education for young children in the Philippines. Additionally, her interactions with the Filipino community in Malaysia and her approach to addressing domestic issues reflect her commitment to understanding and addressing the concerns of the people she serves.
Source: The Manila Times
