Sonny Angara named as new DepEd chief —Palace

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has picked Senator Sonny Angara as the new secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd).

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Marcos is "set to appoint" Angara to the post, replacing Vice President Sara Duterte who resigned from DepEd on June 19, 2024.

"Senator Angara has an extensive legislative history, having championed significant educational reforms since joining the Senate of the Philippines in 2013," the PCO said.

"His notable legislative achievements include the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act and the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 (K-12)."

Marcos also made the announcement during the 17th Cabinet Meeting at the Palace on Tuesday morning.

“Sonny has agreed to take on the brief of the Department of Education," a Palace statement quoted Marcos as saying.

The Department of Education (DepEd) has also welcomed Angara as its incoming secretary. 

“The DepEd community looks forward to working with the new leadership as we continue our relentless pursuit towards improving the quality of Basic Education in the country,” DepEd said in a statement.

'Deeply honored'

In a separate statement, Angara said he is deeply honored and grateful to Marcos for the trust he has placed by appointing him as the new DepEd chief.

“This significant responsibility is one I accept with humility and a profound sense of duty,” Angara said. 

He added that he is “committed to working with all sectors of society, including my predecessor, Vice President Sara Duterte, to ensure that every Filipino child has access to quality education.” 

Angara emphasized that education is the cornerstone of the country’s future, adding that “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,” Angara said.

Angara served as Senate’s chairperson of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights. He also led the chamber’s finance panel. 

According to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Angara's seat in the Senate will remain vacant until it is filled in after the 2025 midterm elections unless the Senate calls for a special election.

"Unless there is a call from the Senate to call for a special election, the Senate seat will remain vacant," Comelec chairman George Garcia said.

Angara is on his second consecutive and last six-year term as senator.

Smooth transition

Meanwhile, the government expressed its appreciation to Vice President Duterte for her service in DepEd.

The PCO said “this anticipates a smooth transition with Secretary Angara's leadership.” 

Vice President Duterte's resignation from DepEd will be effective on July 19, 2024. Aside from DepEd, she also resigned as co-chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). —KBK, GMA Integrated News