CEBU CITY — The Palarong Pambansa next month in Cebu City will proceed as planned despite Vice President Sara Duterte's resignation as secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd).

However, her appearance at the opening ceremony of the national sporting event on July 9 is still expected, as the vice president's resignation from the position of education secretary will take effect on July 19.

On June 19, Duterte resigned from her DepEd post and as vice chairman of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. She did not provide a concrete reason for her exit but said the move is not a sign of weakness.

Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said that preparations for the Palarong Pambansa were already in place before Duterte announced her resignation.

"It should not be affected because everything is already in place. As far as the preparations for Palaro are concerned, everything is already in place," Garcia said in a press conference on Thursday.

Garcia is serving as the acting mayor since Mayor Michael Rama is currently under a six-month suspension imposed by the Office of the Ombudsman since May 8.

Additionally, DepEd Cebu City assistant schools division superintendent Adolf Aguilar echoed this sentiment.

He said that preparations for the Palarong Pambansa are still going on and remained unaffected by Duterte's resignation.

"So far, we did not receive any instructions from DepEd Central Office regarding changes of the Palaro. I think the show must go on," Aguilar said.

Aguilar also confirmed that Duterte would still attend the Palarong Pambansa in Cebu City since her resignation becomes effective on July 19.

Cebu City Sports Commission Chairman John Pages said that Duterte had been involved in the preparations from the beginning.

He said this included signing agreements and participating in various meetings, both in person and virtual.

"Apart from the transition phase to the next secretary, one of her considerations of ending on July 19 is to be able to complete this major event as part of her tenure because we end the Palaro on July 16," Pages said.

The event will run from July 6 until 17. At least 12,000 participants from 17 regions will arrive in Cebu City between July 1 and 5.

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