Sara camp accuses Castro of spreading misinformation following call to teach Philippine history in high school

The camp of presumptive vice president Sara Duterte on Saturday accused ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro of spreading misinformation after the lawmaker called for the inclusion of Philippine history in the high school curriculum.

Castro's challenge was dismissed by Duterte's spokesperson, Liloan, Cebu Mayor Christina Frasco, who described it as "premature and misleading pending presentation of the education agenda by the incoming administration."

"In any event, the current leadership of the Department of Education (DepEd) has clarified time and again that contrary to reckless and misleading claims, Philippine history is in fact being taught in the K to 12 curriculum," Frasco said in a statement.

Castro also urged Duterte, the next DepEd chief, and the incoming administration of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., not to use the educational system "as a tool for further revision of our history."

The lawmaker cited the call of "thousands of academics and students in their fight against widespread dissemination of fake news and disinformation related to the Martial Law regime's ill record."

However, Frasco said it was Castro "who sows misinformation by making false claims [about] history revisionism."

"Taking a belligerent and combative stance in the molding of our youth serves no one except perhaps those whose intention it is to foment discord and disunity in our country," Frasco said.

"The challenge for Representative Castro is to not give in to her personal and political agenda and to focus on upholding the welfare of thousands of teachers by legislation which is her duty and mandate," she added.

Last week, Duterte addressed concerns that she would change the Martial Law historical record once seated as Education Secretary, saying that it would be difficult and it was not a priority. —VBL, GMA News