The Firm mourns the untimely passing of former Senator Edgardo J. Angara, one of ACCRALAW’s Founding Partners. He died at the age of 83.
Ed, as he was fondly called, founded ACCRALAW in 1972 together with Teodoro D. Regala, Jose C. Concepcion, Avelino V. Cruz and the late Manuel G. Abello. With transcendental idealism and uncompromising leadership, the Founding Partners led the Firm into prominence. In less than a decade, the Firm emerged as one of the country’s top law firms and became recognized internationally.
The members of the ACCRALAW family are grateful for his years of invaluable guidance and countless contributions to the Firm and the country as a dedicated and tireless public servant.
Mr. Angara earned his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1958 from the University of the Philippines where he served as the President in 1981-1987. He later on obtained his Master of Laws from the University of Michigan. Mr. Angara’s career in public service began when he became a delegate to the 1971 Constitutional Convention. Later on, he was elected as a Senator from 1987 to 1998, serving as Senate President from 1993 until 1995. He was the longest serving Senator in the post-EDSA Senate and considered one of the most accomplished legislators in contemporary history for authoring landmark laws such as the Free High School Act, the Senior Citizens Act (or The Angara Law), the National Health Insurance Act or PHILHEALTH and the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE), among others. Under the administration of President Joseph Estrada, Mr. Angara became the Agriculture Secretary from 1999 to 2001. On May 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte appointed him as the country’s special envoy to the European Union.
Throughout his life as an esteemed lawyer and a public servant, Mr. Angara received international and local awards and honors.