Following orders from President Marcos, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara officially resigned from his post on Thursday, May 22.
Angara resigns as DepEd Secretary following PBBM's orders
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara ( DepEd file photo)
"Today, I submitted my courtesy resignation as Secretary of the Department of Education, effective immediately," Angara said in a statement. "This decision aligns with the President's directive for Cabinet-wide courtesy resignations," he added.
Malacañang said that President Marcos called for the courtesy resignations of Cabinet secretaries in a “decisive move to recalibrate his administration” following the results of the recent elections.
Angara said that Cabinet members "support" the process. "Binibigyang halaga at tiwala namin ang pasya ng Pangulo na paigtingin ang pamumuno at pamunuan niya (We value and trust the President's decision to strengthen leadership and governance)," he added.
A short-lived tenure
Angara’s appointment was announced in 2024, succeeding Vice President Sara Duterte, who stepped down last July.
His leadership at DepEd was anchored on a 5-Point Agenda aimed at addressing long-standing and emerging issues in basic education.
It focused on creating an enabling learning environment, ensuring the welfare of teachers, delivering efficient learning in all its forms, and building a future-ready workforce.
"Sa sampung buwan ko bilang Kalihim, nakiisa tayo sa adhikain ng Pangulo na iangat ang antas ng edukasyon, alagaan ang ating mga guro, at tiyakin ang pagkatuto ng ating mga mag-aaral (In my ten months as Secretary, we have aligned with the President's goal of raising the quality of education, taking care of our teachers, and ensuring that our students learn effectively)," Angara said.
He added that it has been the "greatest honor" of his public life to serve the Filipino people as Education Secretary. "I extend my sincere gratitude to the President for the opportunity to serve in his Cabinet," he added.
Furthermore, Angara expressed his commitment to a "smooth and seamless" transition for the next DepEd Secretary.
"The vital work of the Department must continue with no roadblocks," he emphasized.