Marcos appoints new CHED chairperson, accepts De Vera's resignation

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 5:06 p.m.) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has named Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Shirley Agrupis as the agency's new chairperson, replacing Prospero "Popoy" De Vera III.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin announced this during a press briefing on Thursday, May 29, saying Marcos had accepted De Vera's courtesy resignation.

The leadership change is part of a broader Cabinet overhaul following the president's directive on May 22 for all Cabinet secretaries to submit courtesy resignations. The move, described by the Palace as a reset, came after the poor showing of the president's endorsed candidates in the May 12 midterm elections.

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New CHED chairperson. Agrupis previously served as president of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Ilocos Norte. She served her first term from 2017 to 2021, before being re-elected for another term. 

She was made CHED commissioner in 2024. 

Agrupis holds a PhD in Agricultural Sciences from the United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Gifu University, Shizuoka University Campus in Japan and a master's degree from the University of the Philippines Los Baños. Her undergraduate degree in biology was earned at MMSU. 

De Vera supposed to have served until July 2026. De Vera confirmed he was stepping down from his post in a statement on Thursday, May 29.

"While I have a term of office until July 2026, I submitted my courtesy resignation pursuant to the instructions of the President," De Vera said.

He has served as CHED chairperson for nearly seven years.

The outgoing CHED chairperson also congratulated Agrupis.