BACOLOD City – Cong. Francisco Benitez from the 3rd District of Negros Occidental has expressed his approval of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision to appoint Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara as the new Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd).
The announcement was made by the Presidential Communications Office on July 2.
Benitez, who was also considered for the post, praised Angara’s qualifications, emphasizing his deep understanding of the education system from both financial and managerial perspectives.
“Senator Angara is the right man for the job,” Benitez stated, expressing his full support for the incoming secretary.
The congressman also conveyed his wishes for Angara’s success and expressed eagerness to collaborate with him and other education stakeholders to enhance and modernize the Philippine education system.
Prior to this appointment, Congressman Benitez himself was considered a potential candidate for the position, backed by recommendations from various quarters, including his brother, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez of Bacolod City.
The congressman is noted for his robust academic credentials, holding a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, from Cornell University.
Senator Angara will be taking over the role from Vice President Sara Duterte, who resigned on June 19, 2024, with her resignation effective July 19, 2024./PN
