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Palace mourns passing of DepEd Undersecretary

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MALACAÑANG, Philippines – Malacañang paid its tribute to Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary Francisco Varela, who died in a motorcycle crash in Antipolo, Rizal on Saturday, according to reports.
In a statement released Sunday morning, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. extended condolences to Varela’s bereaved family, saying his untimely death is a ‘big loss’ to public service.
“DepEd Undersecretary Francisco Varela served with distinction and contributed significantly in implementing reforms in the education sector anchored upon good governance and the judicious utilization of public funds,” Secretary Coloma said.
“He opted to join government at the start of the Aquino administration after carving an exemplary track record in the academic and investment banking sectors,” he added.
Varela was appointed DepEd Undersecretary for Finance and Administration in 2010 and was considered by the agency as ‘very instrumental’ in leading education reforms.
An investment banker by profession and a staunch advocate of the administration’s anti-corruption drive, Varela played an essential part in ensuring that ethical standards are observed in all transactions involving DepEd.

Criselda Cabangon David, a happy mother of two kids, is a full-time Sociologist at the City Government of Lucena, Quezon Province. She is currently the Managing Editor of Ang Diaryo Natin Sunday News, a weekly local community newspaper in the Philippines and an active member of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.