Urged to ‘hit the ground running’
PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday named outgoing Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara as the new Department of Education secretary, a move that the education sector and lawmakers warmly welcomed.
During the 17th Cabinet meeting in Malacanang, the President said “Sonny has agreed to take on the brief of the Department of Education.”
Angara, who was not in Malacanang yesterday, said he was “honored and grateful” to Marcos for trusting him to lead the DepEd.
“This significant responsibility is one I accept with humility and a profound sense of duty,” Angara said in a statement.
Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) party-list Rep. France Castro challenged Angara “to hit the ground running and immediately address the education crisis in our country as well as the long-standing demands of teachers and education support personnel.”
Angara takes over from Vice President Sara Duterte, who vacated her posts as education secretary and co-vice chairman of the National Tak Force to End Local Communists Armed Conflict last week. Her resignation takes effect on July 19.
Angara was one of the five persons endorsed to the President by the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) as the possible replacement of Duterte, the others being Rep. Francisco Benitez, DepEd National Capital Region Director Jocelyn Andaya, DepEd Undersecretary Gina Gonong, and Fr. Wilmer Tria.
Marcos said Angara has the qualities to oversee the DepEd’s extensive operations.
“DepEd is arguably the most important department given the crucial role of education,” Marcos said.
“I am committed to working with all sectors of society, including my predecessor, Vice President Sara Duterte, to ensure that every Filipino child has access to quality education. I look forward to building upon her accomplishments,” Angra said.
Angara said he is “eager” to collaborate with the President and the entire administration “in serving our students, supporting our teachers, and enhancing the overall quality of education in our country.
“Thank you once again to President Marcos for this opportunity. Together, with the dedication of all stakeholders, we will strive to create a brighter future for our nation through education,” he added.
Angara served in the House of Representatives representing the lone district of Aurora province from 2004 to 2013.
Angara was elected senator during the 16th Congress in 2013, where he became the vice chair of the committees on foreign relations, tourism, and science and technology; and chairman of the committees on labor and employment; games and amusement; and ways and means.
During the 17th Congress (2016 to 2019), Angara served as the vice chairperson of the committees on finance, Blue Ribbon, sports, banks, ways and means; and the chairman of the committee on labor and employment.
In the 18th Congress (2019 to 2022), he served as vice chairperson of the committees on public works, economic affairs, and banks; and was chosen by his colleagues to be the chairman of the committees on youth, and finance.
In the present 19th Congress, he is the vice chair of the committees on ways and means, economic affairs, banks and financial institutions; and chairman of the committees on youth, finance, and justice and human rights.
Angara was also named the chairman of the sub-committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes which tackled Resolution of Both Houses No. 6, which enjoins both chambers of Congress to introduce amendments to the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.
EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE
Angara finished his elementary education at Xavier School in San Juan City from 1977 to 1989. From 1989 to 1991, Angara studied at the Douai School in England, and from 1919 to 1994 attended the London School of Economics and Political Science where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Science and Economics (International Relations).
From 1995 to 2000, he took up law at the University of the Philippines in Diliman where he earned a Bachelor of Law degree, and later took Master of Law at the Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts from 2002 to 2003.
He also has an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Law from the Ramon Magsaysay Technological University; Honorary Doctorate from Tarlac Agricultural College; and another Honorary Doctorate from the Pangasinan State University.
He was also one of the staunch defenders of the Mahalika Investment Fund in the Senate.
Angara, son of the late Senate President Edgardo Angara, was born on July 15, 1972.
As a lawmaker, Angara authored and sponsored more than 340 measures, including those concerning access to quality education, youth empowerment, science and technology, and innovation; better health care services, sectoral empowerment, decent jobs and better workers’ pay; finance, banking, good governance. Justice, and tourism.
He chairs the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and a Grand Lodge Inspector of the Pangarap Lodge No. 448 (Masonic District RIV-Cavite East).
Angara is one of the senators belonging to the “Solid 7”, a group of senators who opted to remain loyal to Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri even after he was ousted as Senate president.
He is one of the five “graduating” senators in 2025 after having served two consecutive six-year terms, the others being Nancy Binay, Aquilino Pimentel III, Grace Poe, and Cynthia Villar.
APPOINTMENT HAILED
Senate President Francis Escudero congratulated Angara for a “well-deserved appointment and him of the Senate’s “full support.”
“His task ahead is gargantuan and I wish him well. This significant role reflects his extensive experience and unwavering commitment to improving our nation’s educational system. I have full confidence in his ability to lead the DepEd with excellence and integrity,” Escudero said.
He said Angara’s “proven track record” in legislative work, particularly in education reforms, should be an advantage to addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Senate president pro tempore Jinggoy Estrada said the President made the right decision since Angara’s “extensive experience and steadfast advocacy” for educational reforms will significantly improve the country’s educational system.
“His appointment ensures that our educational system is in capable hands and reassures us of a future where education remains a top priority for our nation’s development,” Estrada said.
Senate majority leader Francis Tolentino said Angara is “very qualified” to be the next DepEd chief due to his background as a member of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2).
“The Senate will lose another legal mind as a consequence,” he added.
Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito congratulated his “Xavierian brother” for the appointment.
“With his extensive educational background and commitment to public service, Sen. Angara is an excellent choice for this crucial role. I am confident his leadership will bring significant positive changes to our educational system,” Ejercito said.
Sen. Loren Legarda said Angara’s “significant contributions” to EDCOM 2” will contribute a lot to the country’s educational system.
“I am confident that Senator Sonny will drive progress and innovation, ensuring a promising future for all Filipino students,” Legarda said.
Zubiri said he is proud that his “seatmate” in the Senate was appointed to the top DepEd post.
“He is one of our most accomplished legislators and public servants, and I believe that he is more than qualified to head the most important agency, with the biggest share in the national budget no less,” Zubiri said.
He said the Senate could have lost an “invaluable member” but the nation will surely gain “an excellent champion.”
Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. said the President did not err in picking Angara.
Binay said they will request that Angara’s Senate stint be extended for a week so he can be with them on July 22 when the President delivers his State-of-the-Nation Address.
“That will technically be our last ‘class picture’ with him, and we don’t want Prince Charming to be missing. We hope that he can still be with us even only in that event,” Binay said at a conference.
The DepEd welcomed Angara as its new chief, saying: “The DepEd community looks forward to working with the new leadership as we continue our relentless pursuit towards improving the quality of Basic Education in the country.
The Philippine Business for Education also welcomed Angara’s appointment. “His strong track record in education reform and youth advocacy makes him an excellent choice,” the PBEd said in a statement.
“We support DepEd in its mission to address the learning crisis and develop our nation’s human capital,” it added.
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers said Malacanang’s decision to appoint Angara “is a much-improved choice” compared to Duterte.
The group said they know Angara as someone who is open to dialogue and consistent in his stand to raise the salaries and improve the benefits of teachers, as well as address problems in the education system.
“During his senatorial terms, he had welcomed ACT’s request for dialogues and sought the group’s positions on pertinent education issues such as the education budget, teachers’ salaries, benefits and professional development, and measures for education recovery. ACT sees him as someone the alliance can work with,” the group said, adding it is hoping that Angara would remain amicable and different from Duterte.
“We anticipate seeing him asserting some of his progressive stance on education concerns even if they run counter to the administration’s policies that only exacerbate the education crisis,” the group further said.
ACT also called on Angara to address the problem of quality basic education and to push for the doubling of the education budget to fulfill the United Nation’s standard of allocating an education budget equivalent to six percent of the country’s gross domestic product, resolve the backlog in classroom and facilities construction and creation of teaching items to reduce the class size to 20 students in kindergarten and 35 students in elementary and high school and to push for the development of culturally appropriate national assessment test, instead of relying on PISA.
The group also called on Angara to overhaul the K-12 program, reinstate Philippine History as a dedicated subject in the high school curriculum, and work to increase the pay of teachers to P50,000 for entry-level teachers.
ANGARA CHALLENGED
Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) party-list Rep. France Castro welcomed Angara’s appointment and urged him to address pressing issues in the country’s education sector, particularly the problems caused by the K to 12 program.
“We urge the new secretary to face the challenges and problems of the K-12 program head-on and overhaul the system. The program has been fraught with issues since its implementation, and it’s high time for a comprehensive review and necessary reforms,” said Castro, a member of the militant Makabayan bloc.
Castro, a teacher-turned-lawmaker, said Angara “must prioritize the improvement of working conditions, salaries, and benefits of our teachers and education support personnel.
“These frontliners in education have long been calling for just compensation and better support systems,” she said.
She also expressed hope that Angara’s experience as a commissioner of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) would shape his approach to the “critical issues facing the education sector.
“We expect Secretary Angara to utilize his insights from EDCOM 2 to implement much-needed reforms in our education system. The crisis in education requires immediate and decisive action. We in ACT Teachers Partylist are ready to work with the new DepEd leadership for the benefit of our learners, teachers, and the entire education sector,” Castro said.
Another Makabayan bloc lawmaker, Rep. Arlene Brosas of the Gabriela party list, said: “The change in leadership at DepEd must not be mere musical chairs. Secretary Angara must provide concrete solutions to the myriad problems facing our students, teachers, and the entire education system which VP Sara Duterte refused to address.”
The party-list representative also called on Angara to reconsider his previous stance on mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and the K-12 program, both of which he had supported in the past.
Brosas said that Angara must present a comprehensive plan to address the alarming learning poverty rate, the shortage of classrooms and learning materials, and the long-standing issues of overworked and underpaid teachers.
“The Filipino people, especially our students and teachers, need to see concrete plans and immediate action to address the education sector’s woes. Secretary Angara must prove that he is up to the task and not just another political appointee perpetuating failed and anti-people policies,” she said.
Speaker Martin Romualdez also welcomed Angara’s appointment, citing his “extensive experience, unwavering dedication, and exemplary public service make him an outstanding choice for this crucial role.
“Throughout his career, Sen. Angara has demonstrated a profound commitment to enhancing our educational system and championing our students’ and teachers’ rights and welfare. His impressive background and notable legislative work and education policy achievements equip him with the expertise needed to lead the DepEd with excellence,” the Speaker said.
Romualdez said the House of Representatives “fully supports Secretary Angara in this new chapter.
“We are eager to collaborate with him to realize our vision of ensuring every Filipino child has access to quality education,” he said.
SPECIAL POLLS UNLIKELY
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said conducting special polls for the seat set to be vacated by Angara is unlikely considering the proximity of the May 2025 national and local polls.
In an interview, Comelec chief George Garcia said he does not believe the Senate would still call for special elections to fill the seat of Angara.
“Because of the very short period left, less than a year left in the term of the 12 incumbent senators, it is my personal belief that the Senate will no longer call for a special election. I think they will just wait for the 2025 elections,” said Garcia.
“Sen. Angara is on his last term. Therefore, his seat will end in 2025 and we will still elect 12 new senators,” he added.
Garcia also said holding a special election for a Senate seat will require a huge amount.
“It is like holding a barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. Around P13 billion will be needed since it will be a nationwide election as well as overseas voting since it involves a national position,” explained Garcia.
Under the rules, Garcia said a Senate resolution calling for special elections would be necessary before the Comelec can hold an electoral exercise for the vacant seat.
“Filling up a position is dependent on the Senate leadership if it will call for a special election or just leave it vacant until the term expires,” said Garcia.
In the event the Senate calls for one, the Commission said it is ready to hold one.
“We shall wait for the Senate. We are prepared to comply with whatever they tell us to do,” said Garcia. — With Wendell Vigilia, Ashzel Hachero, and Gerard Naval
