Marcos accepts De Vera’s resignation, appoints Agrupis as new CHED head

On Thursday, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin announced that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. accepted the courtesy resignation of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Prospero De Vera III.

De Vera, who has served as CHED chair since 2018 and was reappointed by Marcos in 2022, will be succeeded by Commissioner Shirley Agrupis, a former president of Mariano Marcos State University in Ilocos Norte.

Bersamin suggested that the change could provide a fresh start for CHED, noting De Vera's two-term tenure and potential internal pressures within the commission.

De Vera expressed respect for the President's decision and gratitude for the opportunity to implement educational reforms under the Universal Access to Quality Education Law (RA 10931).

In his statement, De Vera also acknowledged the privilege of working with committed colleagues in CHED and across the higher education sector to promote access, equity, and quality.

Agrupis was appointed as the new CHED chairperson following De Vera's resignation, marking a shift in leadership for the commission that could be part of the ongoing cleansing within the Marcos administration.