Sonny Angara Appointed as New Education Secretary
-
Loading... - Mei Takehiko
- 02 Jul 2024
- 60 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara as the new secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), effective July 19. Angara, whose Senate term was due to end in 2025, succeeds Vice President Sara Duterte, who resigned from the position on June 19.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced Angara's appointment during a Cabinet meeting in Malacañang, though Angara was not present. “Sonny has agreed to take on the brief of the Department of Education,” Marcos stated, as quoted by the PCO.
Key educational organizations, including the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations and the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities, endorsed Angara for the DepEd chief role. He was also recommended by Philippine Business for Education, alongside Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Negros Occidental 3rd District Representative Kiko Benitez, and Synergeia Foundation president Milwida Guevara.
“DepEd is arguably the most important department given the crucial role of education,” emphasized Marcos.
In his statement, Angara expressed gratitude to Marcos for the appointment. “This significant responsibility is one I accept with humility and a profound sense of duty,” he said. Angara pledged to collaborate with all societal sectors, including his predecessor, Vice President Sara Duterte, to ensure that every Filipino child has access to quality education. “I look forward to building upon her accomplishments,” he added.
Marcos was expected to announce his choice for DepEd chief over the weekend but postponed the decision, citing the job's demands and “valid concerns” raised by various stakeholders.
