Angara shrugs off claims he will use DepEd post for political gain

Senator Sonny Angara vows he will never use DepEd for political gain. (Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net. file photo)

MANILA, Philippines — Incoming Education Secretary Sen. Sonny Angara stressed on Thursday that he would never use his post to advance his political interests.

In a radio interview, Angara assured the public that his only plan is to fulfill his job as the new secretary of the Department of Education.

“May punto naman sila dahil natatakot sila na kapag pulitiko ang maupo, gagamitin niya yung departamento para sa pulitika. Meaning, to advance a personal agenda. Ako, never ko gagawin yan, dahil bilang kalihim dito, tayo ay tinatawag na alter-ego o representante ng Pangulo,” said Angara over Radyo 630. 

(They have a point, and I understand that they are fearing the possibility that once a politician takes over, the department will be used for politics. Meaning to advance a personal agenda. I will never do that. Because, as a secretary, I am the alter ego or a representative of the President.)

Angara, whose term as senator ends in 2025, said between now and the end of President Bongbong Marcos Jr.’s administration in 2028, he does not have a “personal interest”  in politics. 

“So, talagang magfo-focus tayo sa interes ng ating stakeholders sa larangan ng edukasyon, yung ating mga estudyante, yung ating teachers, mga magulang, yung communities. Yan talaga ang magiging focus natin,” he emphasized. 

(So we will really focus on the interest of our stakeholders in terms of education, our students, teachers, parents, and communities. These are what we would focus on.)

Angara’s appointment as education secretary was welcomed by many, including his fellow senators, citing his extensive educational background. 

He earned his law degree at the University of the Philippines, Master of Laws degree at Harvard University and Economics degree at the London School of Economics. 

Angara’s father, the late former Senate President Edgardo Angara, is also a central figure in the education sector, being the former president of the University of the Philippines. 

Angara will replace Vice President Sara Duterte, who recently resigned as education secretary.