Binay wants Pag-IBIG chief Berberabe to head DepEd if he wins presidency

NAGUILIAN, La Union - Vice President Jejomar Binay said he would name Pag-IBIG fund head Darlene Berberabe as the next education secretary if he is elected president in the May 9 polls.

In a speech during the 24th foundation anniversary of Naguilian National High School, Binay said the next DepEd secretary should have executive and management ability.

"Si Darlene Berberabe ay president ng Pag-IBIG, she was able to introduce a lot to improve the services of Pag-IBIG," he said.

He went on to enumerate the academic accomplishments of Berberabe such as being a valedictorian from grade school until high school, graduating as a summa cum laude at the University of the Philippines, and taking up law at UP and graduating as magna cum laude.

"Expect an executive to head the Department of Education," he said.

Binay worked closely with Berberabe when he served as head of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council in President Benigno Aquino III's Cabinet.

Berberabe was summoned to the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee probe on alleged corrupt activities by the vice president last year over the housing fund's contract with Omni Security, which allegedly had links with Binay.

Just like Makati

In his speech, Binay said all schools should have computers just like in Makati, noting the city has a Special Education Fund amounting to P1.3 billion.

He also said that there should be a bigger budget for student scholarship and loan programs.

The vice president further said that the salary of teachers should be increased and they should be given more trainings.

"Many left to go abroad. Maraming teachers nasa Hong Kong. We need not only increase their salary but train to be proficient teachers," he said.

Binay earlier said that should he be elected president, he would appoint Cavite Gov. Jonvik Remulla as interior and local government secretary and would tap his running mate Senator Gringo Honasan as crime czar. —JST, GMA News