DepEd undersecretary sacked

Education Undersecretary Juan Miguel Luz was sacked from his post for still unknown reasons. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said he sent a letter to Luz thanking him for his services as undersecretary for finance and administration of the Department of Education (DepEd).

"The ‘thank you’ letter is intended to let him (Luz) know that his being undersecretary has been terminated," Ermita said in a brief interview with reporters.

As a career executive service officer, though, Luz would be transferred to another post to continue serving government in another capacity, he said. "He would continue to function in some other position befitting his position as CESO."

Ermita, however, did not give other details about his letter nor why Luz was terminated from his post.

Luz is reportedly the brother of Makati Business Club executive director Guillermo Luz, who is one of those calling for President Arroyo’s resignation.

The DepEd undersecretary earlier confirmed reports that the DepEd returned three postdated checks worth P5 million each to Malacañang, reportedly issued for the high school scholarship program of Zambales Rep. Antonio Diaz. — Paolo Romero