MANILA, Philippines — Newly-appointed Education Secretary Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara took his oath before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang on Friday, a week before the opening of the school year 2024-2025.

Angara took over the Department of Education (DepEd) following the resignation of its outgoing chief, Vice President Sara Duterte, effective July 19.

The President said Angara was picked as the new DepEd chief because he understood the many problems hounding the education sector.

"I don't know how to address him, as senator or secretary, because he will be the incoming Secretary of the Department of Education. When Vice President Sara left, we were thinking about who was the right person for the job because, as he mentioned, many problems need fixing at the Department of Education," Marcos said in a previous media interview.

"That's why, when we were looking for a replacement, I said I think I know who to place at that post, because he's knowledgeable and hardworking, and he understands the problem and how the government works to address these concerns," he said.

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.

Angara was one of the authors of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 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 (Cocopea).

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