Sen. Sonny Angara during a press briefing on Thursday, May 9, 2024, in the Senate. —File photo by Noy Morcoso, INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Sonny Angara would be an “excellent choice” to fill the newly-vacated top post of the Department of Education (DepEd), Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said on Friday.
In a text message to reporters, Escudero said: “I was asked by some people close to [President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.] who I thought would be a good replacement for Vice President Sara at DepEd and the only person I thought of and mentioned was Senator Angara. I don’t know if it reached the President.”
Asked if he’s planning on formally endorsing Angara to Marcos, Escudero said he did not think it would make a difference, noting that the president might already have someone in mind by now.
In a separate message, Sen. JV Ejercito likewise noted that Angara would be a good choice for the post. According to Ejercito, it would be a “challenge that [Angara] might accept” if given the opportunity.
But Angara earlier told reporters that “no one has spoken” to him about being considered for the position.
Vice President Duterte left Marcos’ Cabinet and tendered her resignation from the position last June 19.
Duterte did not provide, however, a categorical reason why she left her post, only signifying that it was not a sign of weakness but stirred by compassion for teachers and students.
As for Marcos, he said he would name Duterte’s replacement by the end of the week.