Malacañang mourns passing of former Senator Edgardo Angara

Malacañang on Sunday condoled with the family of former Senator Edgardo Javier Angara, who passed away on the same day due to a heart attack.

"We mourn the sudden passing of one of our great leaders and statesmen, Senate President Edgardo Angara, who died at age 83," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

"Mr. Angara's contribution to nation-building was immense and his name will always be prominent in the pages of our country's modern political history. He will be missed," Roque added.

Angara's death was announced by his son, Senator Juan Edgardo "Sonny" M. Angara, via social media on Sunday afternoon.

The elder Angara previously served as the Special Envoy to the European Union under the current administration, and was Senate President from January 1993 to August 1995.

Among the laws he authored is the Free High School Act, and the establishment of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the National Health Insurance Act (PhilHealth).

He also authored the Senior Citizens Act, the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA), the Renewable Energy Act, and the Procurement Reform Act.

He also served as Executive Secretary and Agriculture Secretary during the administration of former President and incumbent Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada.

In the private sector, Angara founded — along with other law clasates — the ACCRA Law Offices, one of the top law firms in the Philippines. He also became the Chairman of the Philippine National Bank (PNB) from 1998 to 1999.

In a separate statement, former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed her condolences to the Angara family.

"I would like to personally convey my deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of former Senate President Edgardo Angara. He was a true leader who instituted reforms for the betterment of the country. Most importantly, he was a friend who I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with," she said.

"May his courage and leadership continue to inspire others. He will be missed but his valuable contributions to the country will never be forgotten," she added. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News