ON October 27, a well-known legal and business school will present its highest award to a man of many roles.
The San Beda University led by Rector-President Rev. Fr. Aloysius Ma. A. Maranan, OSB confers the Doctor in Humanities Honoris Causa degree to the late Senator Edgardo Angara for being a great Filipino leader, educator, lawyer, banker and patriot whose exemplary life works, unwavering faith in the Filipino, and leadership truly embodies SBU’s ideals of Fides (Faith), Virtus (Virtues), and Scientia (Knowledge).
Extraordinarily, Senator Angara’s life is filled with many achievements in both private and public service. His election as one of the youngest delegates to the 1971 Constitutional Convention opened the opportunity for him to serve his fellow countrymen and contribute to nation-building. A distinguished lawyer, he established one of the top law firms in the country – the Angara Abello Concepcion Regala and Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALAW) in 1972.
Edong to many and EDJA to some, he became the longest-serving legislator in the post-EDSA Senate where he initiated many landmark laws to improve the lives of his fellow countrymen from birth to senior years.
Among the laws he initiated are the Breastfeeding Law, Free High School Act, the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act, the Magna Carta for Health Workers, Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act, Renewable Energy Act, and the widely appreciated Senior Citizens Act.
During his stint as 15th President of the University of the Philippines, he earned respect and accolade from the entire academic sector. And for UP, he is best remembered as a defender of the tradition of dissent, promoter of academic excellence, and stalwart of fiscal autonomy.
The Executive Branch likewise felt his good leadership and legal expertise. During President Estrada’s term, he was appointed Chairman of the Board of the Development Bank of the Philippines, Agriculture Department Secretary, and Executive Secretary for 14 days prior to the President’s ouster in 2001.
Aiming to better serve the nation, Senator Angara decided to join the presidential race in the1998 national elections. However, with all humility, he yielded to then-popular President Estrada and became his running mate instead. He lost.
As President Rodrigo Duterte recognized Senator Angara’s capabilities in foreign relations and patriotism, he was appointed the special envoy to the European Union in 2017.
With a long list of noble accomplishments, Senator Angara is one of the great minds and principled public servants that the Philippines has ever had, but the President that the Philippines never had. He passed on last May but his legacy remains.
San Beda University is upright in giving its highest honor to Senator Angara who is worth emulating and a perfect role model to each and every Filipino.
