INCOMING Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara said on Tuesday that he respects the decision of the agency’s officials to tender their resignation before he assumes post.

“We respect the decision of the DepEd Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries who tendered their courtesy resignations ahead of our assumption as Secretary of Education,” Angara said in a statement.

“We eagerly anticipate taking on our new role this Friday. Any appropriate appointments will be announced soon as we intend to hit the ground running and drive immediate progress,” the senator added.

Earlier, former DepEd Spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa confirmed that there are officials who have submitted their resignation.

The following are the officials who tendered their resignation:

1. Michael T. Poa – Undersecretary and Chief of Staff
2. Nolasco A. Mempin – Undersecretary for Administration
3. Sunshine A. Fajarda – Assistant Secretary – Office of the Secretary
4. Reynold S. Munsayac – Assistant Secretary for Procurement
5. Noel T. Baluyan – Assistant Secretary for Administration

Their resignation will take effect on July 19, Poa said.