MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara’s appointment as the country’s new education secretary was welcomed by two more Senate colleagues and a major educational institution.
“Education runs in his blood,” said University of the East (UE) President Zosimo Battad in a statement on Wednesday, a day after the Presidential Communications Office announced Angara’s appointment.
Angara, whose term as a senator ends in 2025, earned his law degree at the University of the Philippines, Master of Laws degree at Harvard University, and an Economics degree at the London School of Economics.
His father, the late former Senate President Edgardo Angara, was also a well-known figure in the education sector, being the former president of the University of the Philippines.
“UE welcomes the appointment of Sen. Sonny Angara as the new education secretary. We are optimistic that he will hit the ground running since he is adequately armed with an extensive knowledge of issues and challenges in education,” said Battad.
Battad said the UE community is looking forward to working with Angara in hopes of “uplifting [the country’s] educational system.”
Angara’s colleagues in the Senate likewise aired their support for the new DepEd chief. Among the recent ones who aired their support were Senators Grace Poe and Lito Lapid.
Poe said Angara’s appointment is an “inspired choice.”
“His first-hand experience as an educator is exactly what the agency needs to effectively address the current education crisis in the country,” said Poe.
Poe cited Angara’s two decades of service in both Houses of Congress, which, according to her, made Angara more qualified for the post.
“Sen. Angara [led] the passage of the Unified Student Financial Assistance System Act scholarships, the Student Fare Discount Act, Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education, and Open Learning and Distance Education Act, among others,” said Poe.
Poe, however, noted that the upper chamber would “miss his legal wisdom and witty quips” on the Senate floor.
Lapid likewise hailed Angara’s appointment.
“Napakalaki po ng hamon sa sektor ng edukasyon sa ating bansa at kailangan natin ng batikang lingkod bayan na katulad ni Sen. Sonny upang pangunahan ang ating Kagawaran at suportahan ang mga programa ng ating mahal na Pangulo,” said Lapid in a separate statement.
(There is a huge problem hounding our education sector, and we need a seasoned public servant like Sen. Sonny to lead DepEd and support the programs of our dear President.)
Angara will replace Vice President Sara Duterte who resigned as DepEd chief on July 19.
Duterte, however, did not provide 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.