Palace mourns passing of ex-Senator Angara

Former Senator Edgardo J. Angara (Photo courtesy of University of the Philippines/PNA)

MANILA — Malacañang on Sunday expressed sorrow over the sudden death of former Senate President Edgardo Javier Angara who will be remembered for his “immense” contribution to nation-building.

Angara, father of incumbent Senator Sonny Angara, passed away on Sunday from an “apparent heart attack.” He was 83.

“We mourn the sudden death of one of our great leaders and statesman, Senate President Edgardo Angara, who died at 83,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press statement.

Roque said the senior Angara has served the Philippines in several administrations and in various capacities, the last of which was as Special Envoy to the European Union under the present administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

“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 said.

Angara, who served as senator from 1987 to 1995 and from 2001 to 2013, was appointed by Duterte as special envoy to the European Union in May 2017.

He ran for vice president in 1998 but lost to then senator Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Angara was part of former President Joseph Estrada’s Cabinet as Agriculture Secretary from 1999 to 2001 and Executive Secretary in 2001.

He also served as president of the University of the Philippines from 1981 to 1987 and Senate President from 1993 to 1995 under then President Fidel V. Ramos.