MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte paid tribute to the late former Senate president Edgardo J. Angara, describing the latter as a “humble, quiet person.”
Angara, a former executive secretary and Agriculture secretary, died Sunday morning after suffering from cardiac arrest. He was 83.
Duterte appointed Angara as special envoy to the European Union in 2017.
“Nasa Malacañang noong isang araw. Siya ang tagatanggol sa bunganga ko sa EU. Hindi kami magkaintindihan ng mga puti,” Duterte said.
Angara behaved very diplomat-like, said the President.
“(Angara) is (a) humble, quiet person. Pang-diplomat talaga. I can never be one ever,” he added.
As lawmaker, Angara authored the Free High School Act, the Senior Citizen Act and the National Health Insurance Act, and sponsored laws that created the Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
The Senate will hold a necrological service for Angara on Wednesday, May 16.
Former presidents Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Joseph Estrada are expected to deliver eulogies./PN
