Angara appointed as DepEd chief

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Sonny Angara will be the new education secretary, President Marcos announced yesterday, weeks before the opening of school year 2024-2025.

Angara has accepted the position to be vacated by Vice President Sara Duterte by July 19, according to Marcos.

“Sonny has agreed to take on the brief of the Department of Education (DepEd),” Marcos said during the 17th Cabinet meeting at Malacañang.

Angara was not present at the Cabinet meeting.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) has not yet provided details on Angara’s oath-taking.

In his announcement, Marcos emphasized the important role of the DepEd and the need for a leader capable of overseeing its extensive operations.

“The DepEd is arguably the most important department, given the crucial role of education,” the President said.

He added that choosing the next education secretary was “challenging.”

“We have many excellent candidates,” the Chief Executive said.

Marcos has approved the July 29 opening of classes for public elementary and high school this coming school year.

Duterte resigned on June 19 as education secretary and co-vice chair of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

Angara has championed significant educational reforms since joining the Senate in 2013.

“With a Master of Laws from Harvard University, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the London School of Economics, his background positions him well to lead DepEd,” the PCO said in a statement yesterday.

Angara was one of the authors of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 (K-12) and Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act.

The new DepEd chief received the endorsements of key educational organizations, including the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations and the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities, according to the PCO.

Angara is the son of the late senator Edgardo Angara, who had served as Senate president and University of the Philippines president.

In a statement sent to reporters, Angara thanked Marcos for the “opportunity” and vowed to work closely