A highly placed source informed CurrentPH that the education portfolio vacated by Vice President Sara Duterte has been offered to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Fred Pascual. Pascual, in turn, recommended former University of the Philippines (UP) President Atty. Danny Concepcion for the position.

Other potential candidates for the Department of Education (DepEd) post include another member of the UP College of Law and a representative from the educational sector’s civil society.

A distinguished alumnus of the UP College of Law, Concepcion gained public attention as the host of the evening show “De-Campanero, Campanera” on the now-defunct ABS-CBN DZMM Teleradyo. He is an Upsilonian, sharing fraternity ties with Speaker Martin Romualdez, and maintains a close relationship with Congressman Roman Romulo.

Danny Concepcion is seen as a capable leader who could provide the much-needed direction for the department, especially at a time when the educational sector is facing numerous challenges. Inday Sara’s departure leaves the DepEd in a state of disarray, and with the school year fast approaching, the new secretary will have a formidable task in addressing the myriad issues currently plaguing the department.