Angara resigns from Senate to take DepEd chief post

MANILA, Philippines — Sonny Angara officially resigned from his post as a senator on Thursday in light of his forthcoming appointment as the secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Angara informed Senate President Chiz Escudero of his move in a letter dated July 16, which was publicly released on July 18.

“I have served our countrymen through the Senate of the Philippines for 11 years. And in that period, I have been able to shepherd landmark legislation on making quality education and healthcare more accessible; increasing the take-home pay of our workers; increasing the social pensions of senior citizens; exempting PWDs from VAT; giving incentives to our national athletes and coaches; and providing bigger support to Tatak Pinoy industries, among many others,” said Angara in his letter.

“The portfolio that I will be taking on as DepEd Secretary is riddled with very serious challenges. But I am confident that with your support and of the rest of my colleagues at the Senate, these challenges are surmountable,” he added.

Angara, whose term as a senator was supposed to end in 2025, earned his law degree at the University of the Philippines, Master of Laws degree at Harvard University, and economic degree at the London School of Economics.

His father – late Senate President Edgardo Angara –  is also a well-known figure in the education sector as he was a former president of the University of the Philippines.

Angara will replace Vice President Sara Duterte as the head of DepEd starting July 19. Duterte left President Bongbong Marcos’ Cabinet and tendered her resignation from DepEd on June 19.

READ: Vice Pres. Sara Duterte resigns as DepEd secretary, says Palace 

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.

READ: DepEd to turn over Palarong Pambansa equipment to Cebu City