EdAngara.com - The Official Website of Senator Edgardo J. Angara

Senator Edgardo J. Angara urged for closer ties between Southeast Asian countries, like the Philippines, and South Asian countries like India and Pakistan during his keynote speech at the 5th Regional Conference of the South and Southeast Asian Association for the Study of Culture and Religion (SSEASR).

by Senator Edgardo J. Angara
Published on May 14, 2013, Business Mirror


All eyes are on Southeast Asia—the most promising growth area in the world today—following Malaysia’s election last week and our own yesterday.

How this election plays out will be intensely scrutinized here and abroad because of the plaudits we have received for the country’s economic resilience.

Political instability and weak institutions are common challenges faced by the region’s emerging economies, and a national election is the most telling sign of both.

by Senator Edgardo J. Angara
Published on May 12, 2013, Manila Bulletin


All eyes are on Southeast Asia—the most promising growth area in the world today—following Malaysia’s election last week and our own tomorrow.

How this election plays out will be intensely scrutinized here and abroad following the plaudits we have received for the country’s economic resilience.

Political instability and weak institutions are common challenges faced by the region’s emerging economies, and a national election is the most telling sign of both.

by Senator Edgardo J. Angara
Published on May 7, 2013, Business Mirror


The Philippines’ has scored its second investment grade credit rating in two months courtesy of Standard & Poor’s. The upgrade came at the same time S&P downgraded its outlook for Indonesia and kept its credit rating one notch below investment grade—noteworthy because we do not often better our Southeast Asian neighbor.

by Senator Edgardo J. Angara
Published on May 5, 2013, Manila Bulletin


I had the privilege of addressing the graduating batch of 2013 of the University of the Philippines Diliman and other units last week. On the same occasion, I had the honor of receiving the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa from the University.

President Alfredo E. Pascual; Members of the Board of Regents; Officers of the UP System and of UP Diliman; Chancellor Caesar A. Saloma; Deans of the various colleges; Members of the Faculty and Staff; and our dear graduates and your proud families.

I have been part of UP, and UP has been a part of me.

by Senator Edgardo J. Angara
Published on April 21, 2013, Manila Bulletin


Asia is predicted to emerge as the global economic powerhouse by 2050, hence the coming era is hailed the Asian century. But it is a prospect mired in energy insecurity. The Asian Development Bank, in its flagship annual report Asian Development Outlook, has sounded the alarm this early.

by Senator Edgardo J. Angara
Published on April 7, 2013, Manila Bulletin


Millions of Filipino students graduating this summer are all expectant of a bright future. Those finishing elementary, totaling 1.85 million from the public school system alone, are looking forward to making the big leap to high school.

Those finishing high school, about 1.17 million from public institutions and more from private ones, hope to continue their post-secondary education. The more than half a million young adults graduating from college are the most hopeful—of finding gainful employment, starting a career, and helping their families.

by Senator Edgardo J. Angara
Published on April 2, 2013, Business Mirror


In finally receiving its first ever investment grade credit rating, the Philippines has proven that it no longer is the perennial sick man of Asia.

Fitch Ratings credited us for a resilient economy, solid fiscal position, sound monetary policy, and strong external balance sheet. Upgrades from Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service are expected to follow suit soon. When that happens, the country shall have received its biggest vote of confidence in decades.