Senators mourn colleague Angara’s passing, sympathize with his family

At least seven senators on Sunday expressed their sympathies to the family left behind by former Senator Edgardo Javier Angara.

In separate statements released on Sunday evening, the lawmakers sent out their condolences to the Angara family.

"Nakikiramay at nakikidalamhati ako sa pamilyang Angara, lalung-lalo na kay Sen. Sonny. My thoughts are with you in this sad day," Senator Nancy Binay said.

"We mourn the loss of an excellent lawyer, dedicated educator, esteemed former colleague in the Senate and patriot. I most respectfully convey my sincerest condolences to his bereaved wife, children, family, and loves ones," Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero said.

"We lost a great man, a visionary, an indefatigable worker, esteemed public servant, deep thinker, one of the [Philippines'] most brilliant minds, a dear friend. Ed, may you Rest in Peace," said Senator Loren Legarda.

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

Angara senior served as the Special Envoy to the European Union and as the Chairman of New Clark City under the current administration.

Prior to this, he served as Senator from 1987 to 1998, and from 2001 to 2013. He was Senate President from 1993 to 1995.

Among the laws he authored are the Free High School Act and those leading to 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.

Angara was also the Agriculture Secretary under the administration of former President and incumbent Manila City Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada, and President of the University of the Philippines from 1981 to 1987.

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

"Our deepest sympathies to the family of former Senate President Edgardo Angara for their loss. SEJA, as most of his colleagues call him, was one of the senior legislators we looked up to in the Senate and are fortunate to have worked with," said Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan.

"I join my colleagues and the whole nation in mourning the passing of former Senate President Edgardo J. Angara, a true public servant and a pillar of the Senate. I likewise extend my condolences to Senator Sonny and the Angara family on this sad day," Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III said.

"I'm so saddened by his passing. Edja was one of my mentors and LDP partymate... I'll never forget the times he would challenge me to debate Sen. Joker [Arroyo] almost everytime Joker rises," said Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III said.

"I'm so sad to hear the passing of the country's greatest statesman Sen. Edgardo Angara... Today is truly a sad day for the Philippine Senate and I am honored to have had a chance to have served with such a distinguished public servant," said Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News