TESDA chief resigns, eyes BARMM post

MANILA, Philippines — Technical Education and Skills Development Authority chief Suharto Mangudadatu will resign from his TESDA post effective July 31, to prepare for the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Mangudadatu admitted he would participate in the BARMM elections in May 2025, but he did not say which position is he running for.

He said he and his family remain committed to President Marcos and his administration to ensure peace, prosperity and stability in Mindanao.

“This commitment is rooted in our shared belief in the vision of a united and prosperous Philippines,” Mangudadatu said in a statement.

“We commit our support to the leadership of President Marcos, Speaker Martin Romualdez, the entire Marcos administration, and we continue to do so in any capacity we can for our country,” he added.

Mangudadatu was appointed TESDA chief in June 2023. He is part of the Bangsamoro Grand Coalition, a political party posing to challenge the current BARMM leadership.

Mangudadatu was governor of Sultan Kudarat from 2019 to 2022 before he was succeeded by his son, Gov. Pax Ali Mangudadatu. He was mayor of Lutayan town in Sultan Kudarat for two terms from 1998 to 2004.

“I am grateful for the trust and confidence that President Marcos and the Filipino people have placed in me as secretary of TESDA. I am proud of the agency’s achievements and I am confident it will continue to make a positive impact on the lives of the Filipinos,” he said.