MANILA, Philippines — “Goodbye but not farewell,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said after senators formalized their adieu to their former colleague in a Senate Resolution.
Angara had to leave his legislative post when he stepped into the role of education chief after Vice President Sara Duterte suddenly quit President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s cabinet in June.
An emotional Angara took to Facebook on Wednesday to express his thanks after the senators passed Senate Resolution No. 128, which expressed its commendation for him. Angara has served as a senator for 11 years prior to his appointment.
“Many refer to the Senate as ‘24 independent republics’- I prefer to remember us as ‘dependent bodies’ – needing each other to serve well in a collegial body unique in the world, bringing out the best in each other. I will miss the camaraderie and the spirited debates but I leave with countless precious and irreplaceable memories,” Angara said.
The Senate Resolution was adopted last Tuesday, with most lawmakers in the upper chamber imparting warm farewells to Angara.
“We, all of your colleagues in the Senate, all your co-workers here in the Senate, we are sure that you will make us even more proud as you wear another hat in the executive department as the new Secretary of Education,” Senate President Francis Escudero said.
Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri also said his farewells to Angara. Angara was part of Zubiri’s independent bloc after the former was ousted in a coup as Senate President.
“As a senator, he’s been competent in the heat of crisis and brilliant in the face of difficulty. So I have every faith that as Secretary of Education, he will be able to untangle the problems besetting the sector. And I know that like Tito Ed, Secretary Sonny carries every Filipino learner in his heart, and he will do everything to give them a fair shot at succeeding in life,” Zubiri said.
The Tito Ed that Zubiri is referring to is Sonny Angara’s father, Eduardo Angara, who was the Senate President from 1993 to 1995. The elder Angara pushed for the passage of landmark education bills such as the laws establishing the Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skill Development Authority.
Senators Bong Go, Robin Padilla, Nancy Binay, Win Gatchalian, Loren Legarda, Grace Poe and more similarly sang praises of Angara.
“I am confident that Sonny’s dedication in the Senate will mirror his work in DepEd — always striving for excellence and pushing boundaries. His vision, competence, and efficiency will undoubtedly drive meaningful reforms in our education system,” Legarda said.
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