Political career

Angara's achievements brought him into politics. He was a senator from 1987 until 1998. He was senate president from 1993 to 1995.

Angara prepared to run for president in the 1998 Philippine election, but decided against it when it became clear that he could not win over the popular vice president Joseph Estrada. He accepted a deal offered by Estrada to run as his vice presidencial candidate, with the promise that he would be given a major role in running the government. Although Estrada overwhelmingly won the presidencial race, Angara garnered 22% of the vote and placed second in a field of 9 candidates, losing to Senator Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

In 1999, Angara was appointed Secretary of the Department of Agriculture by Estrada.

On January 6, 2001, as Estrada's presidency was crippled by an impeachment trial and widespread allegations of corruption, Angara was appointed Executive Secretary following the resignation of Ronaldo Zamora, who was running for Congress. He only served for 14 days, as Estrada was toppled by the EDSA II Revolution on January 20. Angara was one of the few cabinet members who stood by Estrada until the end of his presidency.

Angara successfully ran for senator in the 2001 Philippine election.

Early life and career

Eduardo Angara was born to a middle-class family in Baler, Aurora.

Angara earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines in 1958. He earned his Master of Laws degree from the University of Michigan in the United States in 1964.

In the early 1970s, Angara founded ACCRA Law Offices, which would become one of the country's most prestigious law firms. From 1981 to 1987, Angara gained prominence as president of the University of the Philippines.

Edgardo Angara

Edgardo J. Angara Jr. (born September 24, 1934) is a politician in the Philippines. He is currently (as of 2005) a senator.