VP Sara Duterte and suspended Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama during the MOA signing for Cebu City’s hosting of Palarong Pambansa held on February 2, 2024. | Photo from DepEd Philippines
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Despite the resignation of Vice President Sara Duterte as secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), the local organizers of Palarong Pambansa 2024 are still expecting her presence during the national meet that will happen in Cebu City from July 6 to 17.
According to a source from the local organizing group, Duterte will is set to attend the opening ceremony on the July 9 at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).
Duterte’s resignation as Education Secretary is yet to take effect on July 19.
READ: VP Sara: Compassion for students, teachers reason for resignation
However, it is yet to be confirmed if she will also be attending the Palaro’s closing program on July 16.
READ: Palace: Sara Duterte resigns as DepEd secretary
To recall, Duterte played a crucial role in formalizing Cebu City’s hosting of the Palarong Pambansa for the first time in 30 years.
READ: DepEd expects Cebu City’s ‘world-class’ hosting of Palarong Pambansa
She personally signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) last February 2 in Cebu City with suspended Mayor Michael Rama to formalize the city’s hosting of the Palarong Pambansa. The MOA signing was held at the Cebu City Hall.
READ: Bringing back Palarong Pambansa to Cebu City a team effort — CCSC chief
Duterte was also very grateful when Cebu City was announced as the winner of the bidding process to host Palarong Pambansa as she mentioned during her speech last February 2.
More than 10,000 athletes will compete in the five-day national-level meet in various venues around Metro Cebu.