Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Thursday reaffirmed the Department of Education’s (DepEd) dedication to quality education, despite allegations linking Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar to a kickback scheme in government projects.
The statement followed testimony from former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, where he named Olaivar among officials who allegedly received commissions.
Angara emphasized that DepEd upholds the “highest standards of integrity.” “DepEd remains firmly focused on its foremost duty: delivering quality education to every Filipino learner. That mission continues to guide all that we do,” he said in a statement. He added that Olaivar has taken a leave of absence to allow for due process.
Olaivar has denied the allegations and pledged full cooperation with the inquiry.
Bernardo claimed that in 2024, Olaivar requested a list of projects worth PHP2.85 billion, which included a 15-percent “commitment” from unprogrammed funds under the Office of the Executive Secretary.