Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Benitez, Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), said on Thursday, Jan. 8, that he has not received any call or notice regarding his potential appointment as Education Secretary.
Benitez is reportedly emerging as a serious contender to replace Sonny Angara at the Department of Education (DepEd) as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. weighs a sweeping Cabinet reset, according to reports on the Politiko and Bilyonaryo websites.
Benitez dismissed the rumors, noting that he has no idea where the reports originated. He further emphasized that Angara has “been driving education reforms across agencies.”
“Hopefully there is a status quo in the education sector to ensure the reforms continue,” Benitez said.
Benitez earned his Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature (summa cum laude) and English (cum laude) from Cornell University. He later obtained his M.A. and Ph.D. in Comparative Literature, with a minor in Southeast Asian Studies, from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
His career in academia includes serving on the faculty of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the University of Asia and the Pacific, and the University of Washington. He also previously served as the president of Philippine Women’s University.
He was representative of the 3rd District of Negros Occidental prior to his appointment as TESDA director general.*
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