Sonny Angara Explained

Sonny Angara
Office1:39th Secretary of Education
Status1:Incumbent
Term Start1:July 19, 2024
President1:Bongbong Marcos
Predecessor1:Sara Duterte
Office2:Senator of the Philippines
Term Start2:June 30, 2013
Term End2:July 18, 2024
Office3:Chair of the Senate Justice and Human Rights Committee
Predecessor3:Francis Tolentino
Successor3:TBD
Term Start3:May 22, 2024
Term End3:July 18, 2024
Office4:Chair of the Senate Youth Committee
Predecessor4:Joel Villanueva
Successor4:Bong Go
Term Start4:July 24, 2019
Term End4:May 20, 2024
Office5:Chair of the Senate Finance Committee
Term Start5:July 23, 2019
Term End5:May 20, 2024
Predecessor5:Loren Legarda
Successor5:Grace Poe
Office6:Chairman of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas
Term Start6:August 8, 2016
Predecessor6:Oscar Moreno
Office7:Member of the House of Representatives from Aurora's at-large district
Term Start7:June 30, 2004
Term End7:June 30, 2013
Predecessor7:Bellaflor Angara-Castillo
Successor7:Bellaflor Angara-Castillo
Birth Name:Juan Edgardo Manalang Angara
Birth Date:July 15, 1972
Birth Place:Manila, Philippines
Nationality:Filipino
Residence:Baler, Aurora, Philippines
Party:Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino
Website:
Honorific Prefix:The Honorable
Parents:Edgardo Angara
Gloria Manalang
Relations:Arthur Angara (uncle)
Bellaflor Angara-Castillo (aunt)
Rommel T. Angara (cousin)
Profession:Lawyer

Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Manalang Angara (in Tagalog aŋˈɡara/; born July 15, 1972) is a Filipino politician and lawyer currently serving as the 39th secretary of education since 2024. He previously served as a senator from 2013 to 2024 and as the representative of Aurora's lone district from 2004 to 2013. He is also the chairman of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the governing body of basketball in the Philippines, since 2016.[1] He is also a member of the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino party, where he currently serves as the chairman.[2]

Early life and education

Angara was born on July 15, 1972, in Manila to lawyer and former Senate President Edgardo Angara and Gloria Manalang-Angara,[3] a teacher who would become chairperson of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. He took up his basic education at Xavier School in San Juan, Metro Manila, then attended Douai School in the UK, and finished his Bachelor of Science degree in International Relations with honors from the London School of Economics. He finished his law degree at the University of the Philippines College of Law, and earned his Master of Laws degree from Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Early career

He worked as a trainee at the Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company (Metrobank) in Makati in 1991. He worked as a news reporter for The Philippine Star in 1992. He served as an apprentice and member of the delegation in the Philippine Mission to the United Nations in New York in 1994. He worked as an associate attorney at the Angara Abello Concepcion Regala and Cruz (ACCRA) law firm from 2001 to 2003. He taught as a professor at the New Era University (NEU) College of Law and at the Centro Escolar University (CEU) School of Law and Jurisprudence.[4]

Political career

House of Representatives (2004–2013)

He was first elected to public office in 2004 as the representative to Congress for the lone district of Aurora, where he succeeded his aunt, Bellaflor J. Angara-Castillo, a three-term representative and erstwhile governor of Aurora. Elected at age 31, he was one of the youngest members of the 13th Congress. He was a member of the House minority and served as House deputy minority leader, thereby becoming an ex officio member of all standing and special committees of the 13th Congress. He authored a number of laws of national significance and was able to focus on work in his constituency, where he used the funds allotted to his office to build over 100 classrooms and provided funds for indigent constituents in 12 government hospitals and hundreds of scholarships to deserving students at various state universities and colleges (SUCs). He also worked together with socio-civic groups on various projects and funded the creation of the Gawad Kalinga villages for the homeless in three of Aurora's municipalities and the provision of computers and Internet access to Aurora's public high schools, together with the GILAS Foundation, and access to vocational, skills, and livelihood training through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and other groups.

He was elected to a second term as congressman in 2007, when he ran unopposed under the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP), the same political party as in 2004. He served as deputy majority leader and vice chairman of the committee on rules, also as an ex officio member of all standing and special committees in the House during the 14th Congress (2007–2010). He was one of the remaining congressmen who offered aid to some of the wounded persons and personally took some of the survivors to the nearby Far Eastern University - Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation in Quezon City for treatment when a bomb was planted at the premises of the House of Representatives in 2008 which resulted in the death of Congressman Wahab Akbar and the death and serious wounding of other congressmen and congressional staffers. He topped the list of "prolific and hardworking members of the House of Representatives" for filing the most number of bills of national importance that were enacted into law in the 14th Congress.

A report by the House Indexing and Monitoring Group of the Bills and Index Department showed that in the 14th Congress of 2007–2010, he, then deputy majority floor leader, filed 10 national bills that eventually became laws of the land.[5]

Angara was elected to a third term as congressman for Aurora in 2010. He was a signatory to the impeachment complaint against then-Chief Justice Renato Corona, which was signed by the 188 members of the Philippine House of Representatives in December 2011,[6] was eventually adopted as the Articles of Impeachment, and was passed for consideration of the Senate impeachment court. He acted as deputy spokesperson of the House prosecution panel, together with Marikina Representative Miro Quimbo and Quezon Representative Lorenzo Tañada III, in the impeachment trial of the Chief Magistrate.[7]

As a three-term congressman, he authored several measures signed into law by the President of the Philippines, such as:

Senate (2013–2024)

Angara was elected to the Senate in 2013 and was reelected in 2019.[28] He ran under the then-administration coalitions Team PNoy and Hugpong ng Pagbabago, respectively. He has sponsored or authored more than 200 laws in his nearly two decades of service as a legislator.[29]

In the 19th Congress (2022-2025), Angara has authored, co-authored and sponsored into law the following measures:[30]

In the 18th Congress, Angara chaired the Senate's Finance and Youth committees. As chairman of the Committee of Finance, he sponsored into law measures crucial to COVID-19 pandemic response and recovery:[32]

Other laws sponsored/authored in the 18th Congress (2019 onwards):[33]

Laws sponsored/authored in the 17th Congress (2016 to 2019):[34]

Laws sponsored/authored in the 16th Congress (2013 to 2016):[35]

Formerly, Angara was the chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, Angara has already worked for the enactment of:[36]

In the 16th Congress, Angara formerly chaired Committee on Games, Amusement and Sports, where he was actively pushing for greater support for Filipino athletes and competitiveness of national sports teams competing in international competitions. Through this committee, he has authored and sponsored the following laws:

Angara was formerly acting chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources. He sponsored RA 10691 or the amended Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Act,[43] which aims to improve and strengthen PESOs' employment facilitation services to help more Filipinos land a job especially in rural areas and poorer municipalities, and RA 10706 or the Seafarers Protection Act, which protects Filipino seafarers from ambulance chasers, particularly lawyers, who charge excessive legal fees arising from accident, illness, or death of seafarers in the course of their service.

In May 2024, Angara was among the six senators who voted to retain Migz Zubiri as Senate President. Zubiri was eventually ousted with 15 senators voting against him and replaced by Francis Escudero.[44] The seven senators who did not vote for Escudero were collectively called "Magic 7," as they were also seatmates in the session hall.[45] On May 22, Angara was named as the new chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights.[46]

Secretary of Education (2024–present)

On July 2, 2024, President Bongbong Marcos announced the appointment of Angara as the next Secretary of Education, which would take effect on July 19. Angara succeeded Vice President Sara Duterte, who resigned from the post on June 19, 2024.[47] On July 18, Duterte officially turned over the post to Angara,[48] who later resigned from the Senate,[49] leaving his seat vacant until the 2025 election, unless the Senate calls for a special election.[50] Angara formally took oath as education secretary on July 19.[51] His appointment was later confirmed by the Commission on Appointments on August 7.[52]

Angara wanted the Department of Education to simplify teachers' performance review.[53]

Personal life

Angara married ABS-CBN executive Tootsy Echauz in 2003; they have three children.[54]

On March 26, 2020, he tested positive for COVID-19. Angara was one of the first four highest-ranking government officials to have been infected with the SARS-CoV2 including Senators Migz Zubiri and Koko Pimentel, and AFP Chief of Staff General Felimon Santos Jr.. He then recovered from the disease. On May 2, 2020, Angara tested positive for COVID-19 again but has since recovered as well.[55]

Angara is a fan of the NBA team Boston Celtics.[56]

Awards

He was one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) of the Philippines awardees for 2010. He received his trophy from President Benigno Aquino III in a ceremony held at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan.[57] He was also a recipient of the Tanglaw ng Bayan 2011 award, the highest award given by the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Manila to individuals with exemplary achievements in their respective fields.[58] He was conferred honorary doctorate in law (honoris causa) by the Ramon Magsaysay Technological University (RMTU) in Iba, Zambales in November 2011. He was one of nine recipients of the Outstanding Manilan Award in 2017.[59]

External links

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Notes and References

  1. News: Angara is new chairman of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas. Mark. Merueñas. GMA News. August 8, 2016. July 20, 2024.
  2. Angara is New LDP President. September 22, 2018. Senate of the Philippines. July 20, 2024.
  3. "Philippines, Manila, Civil Registration, 1899-1984," database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKJT-LRCM : accessed June 7, 2016), Juan Edgardo Manalang Angara, July 15, 1972; citing Birth, Manila, Metropolitan Manila, Philippines, Civil Registry Office, City Hall of Manila; FHL microfilm 1,717,677.
  4. http://www.philstar.com/education-and-home/2013/04/18/931915/sonny-angara-education Sonny Angara on education
  5. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/223073/angara-de-venecia-most-prolific-members-of-congress-in-recent-years Angara, De Venecia most prolific members of Congress in recent years
  6. http://getrealphilippines.com/blog/2012/01/list-of-188-signatories-to-the-verified-complaint-for-the-impeachment-of-the-honorable-renato-c-corona-chief-justice-philippine-supreme-court/ List of 188 signatories to the Verified Complaint for the Impeachment of the Honorable Renato C. Corona (Chief Justice – Philippine Supreme Court)
  7. https://archive.today/20130615070625/http://www.interaksyon.com/photos/corona-impeachment-trial/corona-impeachment--pre-trial-and-day-2/rep.-erin-tanadarep.-miro-quimbo-and-juan-edgardo-_sonny_-angara-/ House prosecution panel spokesperson Sonny Angara with fellow spokespersons
  8. Web site: Republic Act No. 10627 GOVPH. 2022-02-22. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. en-US.
  9. Web site: Republic Act No. 10607 GOVPH. 2022-02-22. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. en-US.
  10. Web site: Republic Act No. 10606 GOVPH. 2022-02-22. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. en-US.
  11. Web site: Republic Act No. 10557 GOVPH. 2022-02-22. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. en-US.
  12. Web site: Republic Act No. 10532 GOVPH. 2022-02-22. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. en-US.
  13. http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2009/ra_9710_2009.html Republic Act 9710 - The Magna Carta of Women
  14. http://www.insurance.gov.ph/htm/pre-needCode.htm Republic Act No. 9829 - An Act Establishing the Pre-Need Code of the Philippines
  15. http://www.senate.gov.ph/republic_acts/ra%209490.pdf Republict Act No. 9490 - The Aurora Special Economic Zone Act of 2007
  16. http://www.nwpc.dole.gov.ph/pages/ra_9504.pdf Republic Act No. 9504 - The Tax Exemption for Minimum Wage Earners Law
  17. http://www.ctb.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/ra-9856-reit.pdf Republic Act No. 9856 - The Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Act of 2009
  18. http://www.vertic.org/media/National%20Legislation/Philippines/PH_Act_Civil_Aviation_Authority_9497.pdf Republic Act No. 9497 - The Civil Aviation Authority Act of 2008
  19. http://www.bsp.gov.ph/regulations/laws_pera.asp Republic Act No. 9505 - The Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) Act of 2008
  20. http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2008/ra_9500_2008.html Republic Act No. 9500 - The University of the Philippines Charter of 2008
  21. http://www.pinoylegal.com/2010/01/ra-9858-legitimation-of-children-born-by-parents-below-the-marrying-age/ Republic Act No. 9858 - An Act Providing for the Legitimation of Children Born to Parents Below Marrying Age, Amending for the Purpose the Family Code of the Philippines, as Amended
  22. http://www.congress.gov.ph/download/ra_14/RA10066.pdf Republict Act No. 10066 - The National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009
  23. http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2010/ra_9994_2010.html Republic Act No. 9994 - The Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010
  24. http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2010/ra_10142_2010.html Republic Act No. 10142 - The Financial Rehabilitation and Insolvency Act (FRIA) of 2010
  25. http://www.ctb.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/ra-9510-cisa.pdf Republic Act 9510 - The Credit Information System Act
  26. http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2010/ra_10069_2010.html Republic Act 10069 - The Health Workers' Day Act
  27. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2013/01/18/republic-act-no-10361/ Republic Act No. 103610 - The Domestic Workers Act
  28. https://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2019/230689-interview-sonny-angara-reelection-2019 Rappler Talk: Sonny Angara and his 2019 reelection
  29. Web site: About Senator Sonny Angara . August 27, 2019.
  30. Web site: https://www.facebook.com/sonnyangara/posts/pfbid0Fx2TkSPChKkorYigqaHAxt4ucKZboaX4VsNMGX8EAHvQqQJQv8pgx5bcXmhBHP9Ll?__cft__[0=AZV68jM1Y43MNwbkEuxTw67s_BqMCNh4iHZRh8PsNhjF49rCi7Q9Oa15LrsgAzEgf0UrOK2gi31Y_iyZTOie1UZ6bM2QthqR0fvYHMP8KuJcQEWEywf3ctHYNHS4JTCob58DLWpt0kOVdyO8Z33l7Y-LsL0n8J4er1X8QSGveAL9-4cKWpqDPzBXzZ8mYiotQhI&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R Official Facebook Page of Sonny Angara ]. April 4, 2024.
  31. https://business.inquirer.net/447408/angara-tatak-pinoy-law-a-giant-leap-to-becoming-an-industrialized-ph Angara: Tatak Pinoy law ‘a giant leap’ to becoming an industrialized PH
  32. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/10/14/the-pandemic-response-should-be-the-highest-priority/ The pandemic response should be the highest priority> Bills 18th Congress
  33. http://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lis/leg_sys.aspx?congress=18&type=bill Senate of the Philippines > Bills 18th Congress
  34. http://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lis/leg_sys.aspx?congress=18&type=bill Senate of the Philippines > Bills 18th Congress
  35. http://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lis/leg_sys.aspx?congress=18&type=bill Senate of the Philippines > Bills 18th Congress
  36. https://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2015/0824_angara1.asp ANGARA: WAYS AND MEANS PANEL EYES HIGHER TAX EXEMPTION FOR OFWS' BALIKBAYAN BOXES
  37. http://www.rappler.com/business/economy-watch/115469-aquino-signs-tax-incentives-management-law Tax Incentives and Management Act now a law
  38. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/776914/angara-thanks-aquino-for-signing-pwd-law Angara thanks Aquino for signing PWD law
  39. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1146434/angara-lauds-signing-of-law-on-higher-sin-tax-for-tobacco#ixzz5xmb2J3oN Angara lauds signing of law on higher sin tax for tobacco
  40. http://sports.inquirer.net/206215/filipino-athletes-with-disability-get-cash-incentives-for-triumph-at-8th-asean-para-games Filipino para-athletes get cash incentives
  41. News: It's Official: Aquino signs Blatche Filipino citizenship papers. Rappler. November 22, 2022.
  42. http://interaksyon.com/article/112007/senate-approves-5-bills-creating-sport-academies-training-centers Senate approves 5 bills creating sport academies, training centers
  43. http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/10/26/1515006/pnoy-sign-law-increasing-public-employment-service-offices PNoy to sign law increasing public employment service offices
  44. News: LIST: 15 senators who voted to oust Zubiri as Senate President. Carmela. Fonbuena. May 21, 2024. July 20, 2024. PCIJ.
  45. News: 'Magic 7' bloc to remain independent — Zubiri. Cecile Suerte. Felipe. May 22, 2024. July 20, 2024. The Philippine Star.
  46. Senate Elects New Committee Chairpersons; Migz Heads Economic Affairs. May 23, 2024. July 18, 2024. Senate of the Philippines.
  47. News: Sarao . Zacarian . Angara named as new DepEd chief . July 2, 2024 . . July 2, 2024.
  48. News: Angara officially takes over DepEd post. Hana. Bordey. GMA Integrated News. July 18, 2024. July 20, 2024.
  49. News: Sonny Angara officially resigns as senator. Hana. Bordey. GMA Integrated News. July 18, 2024. July 18, 2024.
  50. News: Sarao . Zacarian . Angara's Senate seat to remain vacant unless special polls called – Comelec . July 2, 2024 . Philippine Daily Inquirer . July 2, 2024.
  51. News: Marcos officially welcomes DepEd Secretary Angara to the Cabinet. Joyce Ann. Rocamora. Philippine News Agency. July 20, 2024. July 20, 2024.
  52. News: CA swiftly confirms Sonny Angara as new DepEd secretary. Cristina. Chi. Jean. Mangaluz. August 7, 2024. August 7, 2024. Philstar.com.
  53. News: Angara wants DepEd to simplify teachers’ performance review. July 23, 2024. Luisa. Cabato. Inquirer.net. July 25, 2024.
  54. News: Every dad raises his son differently, and it's not always rosy. Bettina. Rodriguez-Olmedo . June 16, 2013. Philippine Daily Inquirer. November 22, 2022.
  55. Web site: Senator Sonny Angara tests positive for COVID-19 anew . GMA Entertainment . July 2, 2024 . May 2, 2020.
  56. Web site: Celtics Fans: Sonny Angara Brings Daughter To First NBA Game . Politiko . July 2, 2024 . April 25, 2024.
  57. https://archive.today/20120906153617/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=639125&publicationSubCategoryId= 2 lawmakers, CNN hero, Noy's cousin top TOYM awardees
  58. http://www.pup.edu.ph/newscenter/?go=817 PUP Awards Tanglaw ng Bayan to House Speaker Belmonte and Representative Angara
  59. Web site: Araw ng Maynila: Erap honors outstanding citizens. Clapano. Jose Rodel. June 25, 2017. The Philippine Star. August 13, 2017.

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