Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara on Tuesday, July 2 said he is “deeply honored” and “grateful” to gain the trust President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has placed in him by appointing him as the new Department of Education (DepEd) secretary.
“This significant responsibility is one I accept with humility and a profound sense of duty,” Angara said.
Angara, likewise, expressed his gratitude to the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) and the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU) for their endorsements and trust.
“Upon the guidance of the President, we will soon begin the transition process with the office of Vice President Sara Duterte. I eagerly look forward to building the gains made during her stint at the department,” Angara said.
Angara, a Harvard law school graduate, stressed that education is the cornerstone of the country’s future, “and it is through collective effort that we can address the challenges and seize the opportunities ahead.”
“I am eager to collaborate with President Marcos and the entire administration in serving our students, supporting our teachers, and enhancing the overall quality of education in our country,” the lawmaker said.
“Thank you once again to the President for this opportunity. Together, with the dedication of all stakeholders, we will strive to create a brighter future for our nation through education,” he stressed.
From 1991 to 1994, Angara studied and eventually graduated with high honors at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in London, England where he took up Bachelor of Science in Economics.
He eventually took up law at the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law, Diliman, Quezon City from 1995 to 2000. He took a Masters degree at the Harvard Law School, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA from 2002 to 2003.
The four-term senator started his stint at the Senate of the Philippines during the 16th Congress (2013-2016) and up to the present 19th Congress (2022 to 2025).
Among the committees, Angara headed and co-chaired included the Senate committees on finance, youth, justice and human rights, economic affairs, ways and means, banks, public works, education, sports, games and amusement, tourism, science and technology, and foreign relations.
Career Highlights:
Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, one of the most hardworking members of Congress, have sponsored or authored more than 330 laws in his 18 years as a lawmaker.
He first served as a Representative of Aurora Province at the House of Representative from 2004 to 2013, and then as a member of the Senate of the Philippines from 2013 up to the present.
Among the landmark legislation he authored include the Free College Law, the Free Kindergarten Law, the Universal Healthcare Act, the expanded Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Act, the “Kasambahay” Law, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Charter, the Expanded Senior Citizens Act, the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and incentives Act, and the National Sports Academy Act.
As head of the Senate Committee on Finance, Angara helped in steering the government’s national response to the global Covid-19 pandemic through the passage of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, the National Covid-19 Vaccination Program Act and the Health Emergency Allowance for Health Workers Law.
Angara is also known for strongly advocating a “Tatak Pinoy (Proudly Filipino) campaign to help make Philippine goods and services more sophisticated and globally competitive.
Angara is also the Commissioner of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) and co-chairperson on governance and finance committee.
He is also currently chairman of the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) and chairman of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Akademiya Filipina and senior adviser of the Metrobank Foundation.
Angara is set to receive the 2024 Lifetime Distinguished Achievement Award from the University of the Philippines (UP) Alumni Association (UPAA) on August 17, 2024.
In 2010, he was awarded for his outstanding performance and achievement as a legislation by the Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award.
In 2023, Angara was a Dangal ng Bayan Awardee for his outstanding contributions and advocacies for citizens, amid catastrophes and challenges, during the Gawa Pilipino Awards Ceremony.
He was also recognized by PeopleAsia’s People of the Year Award in 2020; gained the Apolinario Mabini Special Recognition Award 2018, given by the Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled, for initiating legislation benefiting persons with disability.
The senator is a graduate of Xavier School, the London School of Economics, the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law, and Harvard Law School.
He has also been a regular newspaper columnist for the Manila Bulletin and a law professor.
Angara is happily married to his wife Tootsy and they have three children.