DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara (left), Vice President Sara Duterte (Facebook)

Ranking congressmen praised Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara for his pleasant behavior and willingness to cooperate with them during the agency’s budget hearing on Monday, Sept. 2 

The lawmakers can't help but compare Angara’s temperament to that of Vice President Sara Duterte, who seemingly threw decorum out the window when she appeared at the House of Representatives for the Office of the Vice President's (OVP) own budget hearing last Aug. 27. 

Vice President Duterte's aggressive behavior and evasiveness during that hearing was so unprecedented that ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro compared it a "pusit" or squid. A squid is an animal that excretes ink as a defensive move and to escape predators. 

Whether fairly or not, this comparison turned the Vice President into a meme. There's no such negative consequence for Angara. 

“Secretary Angara’s professionalism and composure during the hearing reflect a true commitment to public service. His respectful engagement was a breath of fresh air,” Assistant Majority Leader Ako-Bicol Party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon said. 

“It’s impressive that Secretary Angara handled these issues so well, especially considering that he inherited these problems from the previous administration,” he added. 

Deputy Majority Leader Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said of Angara: "In just a short time, [he] has already shown his capability to lead with respect and integrity." 

“This is a stark contrast to what we saw from Vice President Sara Duterte, who, during her own budget hearing, displayed a sense of entitlement and resorted to bullying tactics that have no place in a democratic institution,” Acidre noted. 

He further remarked, “Angara’s willingness to engage constructively, even with the tough questions, is a testament to his dedication and a significant departure from the combative stance of his predecessor.” 

Angara, an erstwhile senator and former House member, has been at the helm at DepEd for only six weeks. 

BUT FIRST, READ THIS: 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/8/27/decorum-takes-backseat-as-vp-duterte-attends-house-budget-hearing


“Secretary Angara’s ability to respond clearly and respectfully to every inquiry sets a new standard for leadership at DepEd. His demeanor was the complete opposite of the aggressive and disrespectful attitude shown by his predecessor,” said another Deputy Majority Leader in Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin. 

“It’s commendable how he’s tackling the problems he inherited without complaint, focusing instead on solutions and moving the department forward,” Garin added. 

Cagayan de Oro 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez actually sought an early termination of the DepEd budget hearing Monday, as he cited House tradition in giving such "parliamentary courtesy" to a former colleague. 

To his credit, Angara gamely answered the solons' questions about the DepEd's budget and related issues in what eventually became an 11-hour hearing.