DepEd recalls module maligning Robredo

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has ordered a recall of self-learning module that recently drew flak for making negative references to Vice President Leni Robredo.

The department said in a statement that the Division of City Schools-Manila has directed all school heads to retrieve both hard and digital copies of the module that used Robredo’s name in a series of examples that seemingly put her in a bad light.

The Manila SDO superintendent issued an apology over the material and said that it was not its intent to malign any individual.

“We sincerely apologize for any harm or inconvenience that this may have caused individuals or groups. This is definitely not the intent or the very purpose of the publication of such material,” the statement read.

In a module on the Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person, Robredo was used in several examples that put her in a bad light.

Among the texts were “Robredo lies to the world, shames the nation and herself in UN message” and “The real albatross on Leni Robredo’s neck.” Others made general statements about her supposedly blaming the government.

The Manila SDO said the instructional material was locally produced and published at the height of the pandemic in September 2020 and was to be used by learners in senior high school for that school year.

The office said that both the unit and persons involved in the creation of material would be subject to review. However, it was found that the writer who wrote the particular section passed away due to COVID-19 in the same year of the material’s publication.

The Manila SDO gave assurance it would employ more quality control in both content and style of the learning materials.

The office also apologized for naming other DepEd officials as part of the management team despite the material not having gone through a conformance review.

The DepEd Central Office recognized that the references in the learning material may be taken against Robredo, especially amid the election season.

“DepEd assures the public as well as candidates in the ongoing elections that we are exerting all efforts to warn our officials and personnel, including teachers, against participating in partisan politics,” it added.

Poison

In response, Robredo said the DepEd should not allow materials that would “poison” the minds of the public, adding that “the information contained on the materials are the responsibility of the DepEd.”

“DepEd should not release anything – not just because I am on the receiving end of this – but anything that would poison the minds of the people. DepEd should not allow this,” she said in English and Filipino. – Janvic Mateo