Credits: Inquirer.net
In a significant move, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara as the new education secretary on Tuesday, following Angara’s expressed willingness to accept the role if offered.
Angara, whose appointment was announced shortly after a Cabinet meeting, expressed his gratitude towards President Marcos for the trust placed in him. “I am deeply honored and grateful to the President for the trust he has placed in me,” Angara said in a statement.
Angara, whose second term as senator ends next year, emphasized his commitment to seeking advice from his colleagues in the Senate, experts in education, and former education secretaries to effectively fulfill his new role. This appointment comes two weeks after Vice President Sara Duterte resigned from her position as education chief, effective July 19, amid speculations of strained relations with the President.
The news of Angara’s appointment was well-received by various stakeholders in the education sector, including activist groups previously Red-tagged by the outgoing DepEd head. The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) confirmed that the decision was made during the Tuesday morning Cabinet meeting, quoting Marcos as saying, “Sonny has agreed to take on the brief of the Department of Education (DepEd).”
Malacañang anticipates a smooth transition at DepEd following Duterte’s resignation. “Upon the guidance of the President, we will soon begin the transition process with the office of Vice President Sara Duterte,” Angara said, expressing his eagerness to build on the progress made during Duterte’s tenure.
A lawyer by profession, Angara was recommended for the education portfolio by several leading groups in the education sector, including the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations, the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities, and the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd). Other candidates included Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Negros Occidental Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez, and former Finance Undersecretary Milwida Guevara.
The PCO highlighted Angara’s extensive legislative history in championing significant educational reforms since he joined Congress in 2004. His notable contributions include the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, the Enhanced Basic Education Act, the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act, the Open Distance Learning Act, the Universal Kindergarten Act, and the Anti-Bullying Act.
Angara, who was first elected as Aurora representative in 2004, has a distinguished academic background with degrees from the University of the Philippines, Harvard University, and the London School of Economics. He also comes from a family with a strong legacy in public service, being the son of the late Senate President Edgardo Angara and former Cultural Center of the Philippines chair Gloria Manalang.
Angara confirmed that he received his appointment confirmation moments before the public announcement. On Monday, he had indicated his openness to the role if entrusted by the President. Following a meeting with Marcos on Tuesday, Angara shared his plans if appointed as education secretary, although he was uncertain of his appointment at the time.
Senate colleagues and education reform advocates expressed their support for Angara’s new role. Sen. Loren Legarda congratulated him on X, while Sen. Risa Hontiveros described Angara as “one of the most qualified and acceptable DepEd Secretaries among education reform advocates.”
PBEd praised Angara’s “wealth of experience” and political savvy, while the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) expressed optimism about his openness to dialogue with teachers’ groups. Human rights advocate Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno also welcomed the appointment, emphasizing the urgent need to address the learning crisis facing students and teachers.
The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition extended a warm welcome to Angara, requesting an early meeting to discuss pressing issues in the education sector.
