Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara (File photo from Philippine News Agency)
MANILA, Philippines — A panel of the Commission on Appointments (CA) has recommended the confirmation of the appointment of Sonny Angara as the country’s education chief.
No members of the CA’s panel on education objected when a motion to endorse Angara’s appointment was raised.
After the affirmation, the panel recommendation was transmitted to the plenary for approval, which is scheduled for later on Wednesday.
Angara, whose second term as senator was supposed to end in 2025, officially replaced Vice President Sara Duterte as head of the Department of Education (DepEd) last July 19.
He earned his law degree from the University of the Philippines, Master of Laws degree at Harvard University and economic degree at the London School of Economics.
His father, the late Senate President Edgardo Angara, was also a well-known figure in the education sector and former president of the University of the Philippines.
READ: Sec. Angara bids goodbye to former Senate colleagues
Earlier, Sonny Angara made it clear that he would never use his post to advance his interest in politics, telling the public that his only plan is to fulfill his job as the new secretary of DepEd.
“May punto naman sila dahil natatakot sila na kapag pulitiko ang maupo, gagamitin nya yung departamento para sa pulitika. Meaning, to advance a personal agenda,” said Angara over Radyo 630.
(They have a point, and I understand their fear of the possibility that once a politician takes over, the department will be used for politics. 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,” he added.
(But for me, I will never do that. Because as a secretary, we are an alter ego or a representative of the President.)