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Angara, new DepEd chief
By Nidz Godino
“Sonny has agreed to take on brief of Department of Education (DepEd),” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.said during 17th Cabinet meeting at Malacañang Sen. Sonny Angara will be the new education secretary.
Angara has accepted position to be vacated by Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio by July 19, according to Marcos.
Angara was not present at the Cabinet meeting.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) has not yet provided details on Angara’s oath-taking.
In his announcement, Marcos emphasized important role of DepEd and need for leader capable of overseeing its extensive operations.
“DepEd is arguably most important department, given crucial role of education,” the President said.
He stressed choosing the next education secretary was “challenging.”
“We have many excellent candidates,” the Chief Executive said.
Marcos has approved July 29 opening of classes for public elementary and high school this coming school year.
Duterte resigned on June 19 as education secretary and co-vice chair of National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.
Angara has championed significant educational reforms since joining Senate in 2013.
“With Master of Laws from Harvard University, Bachelor of Laws from University of the Philippines and Bachelor of Science in Economics from London School of Economics, his background positions him well to lead DepEd,” PCO said in statement.
Angara was one of the authors of Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 (K-12) and Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act.
The new DepEd chief received endorsements of key educational organizations, including Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations and Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities, according to PCO.
Angara is the son of the late senator Edgardo Angara, who had served as Senate president and University of the Philippines president.
In statement sent to reporters, Angara thanked Marcos for “opportunity” and vowed to work closely with all sectors, including his predecessor, “to create brighter future for our nation through education.”
“I am deeply honored and grateful to President Marcos for the trust he has placed in me by appointing me as secretary of Department of Education, This significant responsibility is one I accept with humility and profound sense of duty, I am committed to working with all sectors of society, including my predecessor, Vice President Sara Duterte, to ensure that every Filipino child has access to quality education… I look forward to building upon her accomplishments,” Angara said.
For Angara, whose Senate term ends next year, education is cornerstone of the nation’s future, and through collective effort, country can address challenges faced by education sector and seize opportunities ahead.
“I am eager to collaborate with President Marcos and entire administration in serving our students, supporting our teachers and enhancing overall quality of education in our country,” he said.
DepEd welcomed Angara as its new secretary, saying it looks forward to working with outgoing lawmaker on improving the quality of basic education in the country.
“DepEd community looks forward to working with the new leadership as we continue our relentless pursuit towards improving the quality of Basic Education in the country,” DepEd said in statement few hours after Malacañang announced Angara’s appointment.
Duterte’s office has yet to issue any statement regarding Angara’s appointment, although the Vice President earlier told reporters that she did not recommend anyone to Marcos for the post.
Angara’s fellow senators hailed his appointment as the new education secretary, with those from “Solid 7” bloc describing it as “well-deserved.”
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, Angara’s colleague at Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), vouched for “integrity, long experience in government service, and ability to think outside box” of his seatmate at the session hall.
“As lifelong education champion, former chairperson of Senate committee on finance and commissioner of EDCOM 2, he will bring to the department expertise and leadership needed to usher in needed reforms and foster innovation in basic education sector,” Gatchalian said.
He stressed he is excited to work with new Education Secretary Angara at EDCOM 2, which Gatchalian co-chairs and Angara served as commissioner.
Former Senate president Juan Miguel Zubiri is proud to have fellow member of his “Solid 7” clique to join Cabinet of President Marcos.
“He is one of our most accomplished legislators and public servants, and I believe that he is more than qualified to head our most important agency, with biggest share in national budget no less, Sen. Sonny brings to DepEd his brilliant fiscal mind, being former chair of Senate finance panel, and his heart for our youth, being part of EDCOM 2, Angara will bring to the department lessons of his late father, “himself passionate advocate of delivering quality education to every Filipino,” Zubiri said.
Sen. Nancy Binay said such proud moment for member of their “Solid 7” group to be appointed in important department.
“Education is the great equalizer… Angara is the best person who knows solutions to the problems of education sector, future will be bright and ‘Sonny’ for the DepEd with an Angara at the helm,” Sen. Joel Villanueva, another “Solid 7,” Binay said at press briefing.
Members of majority bloc also congratulated Angara.
Senate President Francis Escudero has “full confidence in Angara’s ability to lead DepEd with excellence and integrity… with his background in both Philippine and international education systems equipping him with necessary perspective and expertise to elevate our educational standards.”
“The President made right decision in choosing him for the job, given Sen. Angara’s extensive experience and steadfast advocacy for educational reforms significantly improved our educational system, his appointment ensures our educational system is in capable hands and reassures us of future where education remains top priority for our nation’s development,” Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said.
Senate majority leader Francis Tolentino said while Angara is “qualified” choice, Senate “will lose another legal mind as consequence.”
In her post on X (formerly Twitter), Sen. Loren Legarda congratulated him, saying “@sonnyangara, the new @DepEd_PH Secretary!”
“With strong educational background and with significant contributions as Commissioner of Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), his leadership promises bright future for Philippine education,” Legarda said.
Legarda noted that Angara’s efforts have expanded access to education and created countless opportunities for Filipino students.
Officials and members of House of Representatives, led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, commended Marcos’ appointment of Angara as next education secretary.
“We are pleased to welcome appointment of Sen. Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara as incoming secretary of Department of Education. Sen. Angara’s extensive experience, unwavering dedication and exemplary public service make him outstanding choice for this crucial role, throughout his career, Sen. Angara has demonstrated profound commitment to enhancing our educational system and championing our students’ and teachers’ rights and welfare…his impressive background and notable legislative work and education policy achievements equip him with expertise needed to lead DepEd with excellence,” Romualdez said.
Expressing House’s full support for Angara “in this new chapter,” Romualdez said they are eager to collaborate with the new DepEd chief “to realize our vision of ensuring every Filipino child has access to quality education.”
Congressmen also crossed party lines in hailing Angara , former representative from province of Aurora as latest addition to Cabinet, who they said is very much qualified to take the job, being lawyer himself with very impressive credentials.
Reps. Joel Chua of Manila, Ron Salo (Kabayan party-list), Kristine Alexie Besas Tutor (Bohol) and even opposition Reps. France Castro of ACT Teachers party-list and Arlene Brosas of women’s group Gabriela extended their congratulatory messages.
“Angara is quite good choice and matches with DepEd. Secretary Angara’s track record and reputation bode well for DepEd because department now has credible, competent and qualified leader,” Chua, fellow lawyer, said.
Salo, another fellow lawyer, cited Angara’s “exemplary track record in championing educational reforms as legislator such as Free College Education law, Universal Kindergarten law, and K-12 law make him exceptionally well-suited for vital role.”
“With Sen. Angara at the helm, I am confident DepEd will continue to develop robust educational system that will improve quality of learning of our students, as well as support welfare of teachers and all educational personnel alike,” Salo said.
Tutor also took the opportunity to ask the newly appointed Cabinet member to “remove non-teaching burdens of teachers.”
“Angara can swiftly remove burdens of teachers by letting DOH ,Department of Health, DSWD,Department of Social Welfare and Development, and barangay health centers carry greater burdens on school health and nutrition,” she said.
Castro, who is also House deputy minority leader and teacher by profession, welcomed Angara’s appointment, but issued challenge to him right away.
“We are challenging him to immediately address pressing issues in the country’s education sector…while it is good that new DepEd secretary has been named, we challenge Sen. Sonny Angara to hit ground running and immediately address education crisis in our country as well as long-standing demands of teachers and education support personnel,” Castro said.
Brosas urged outgoing senator to “address education crisis, reconsider DepEd’s stance on mandatory Reserve Officer Training Corps and K-12 program, which added two more years in high school education, making it total of six years.
Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez welcomed Angara’s appointment as new DepEd secretary.
“We need someone who intimately knows ins and outs of our education system, and understands it from finance and management perspective…in this regard, Sen. Angara is the right man for the job,” Benitez, who is also the commissioner of EDCOM 2, said.
Three Negros Occidental lawmakers, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, local lawmakers and officials earlier endorsed him for the position, citing his extensive background and competency in the field of education.
Makati Business Club (MBC) is looking forward to working with Angara following his appointment as new DepEd chief.
“MBC looks forward to working with Sen. Angara and wishes him all the best in this critical role, to ensure elementary and high school principals and teachers are equipped with literacy, technical and character skills needed to prepare Filipino children and youth to meet challenges of the future,” MBC said in statement.
Special election to replace Angara is highly unlikely, according to Commission on Elections (Comelec).
“In my opinion, because time is so short, term of sitting 12 senators is only one year over, maybe, Senate will not call for special election and will just wait for 2025 elections,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said.
“Unless there is call from Senate to call for special election, Senate seat will remain vacant,” Garcia pointed out.
He noted it would require around P13 billion to hold special election for senatorial seat because it is on national level and would also include Filipinos overseas.
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