MANILA – Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Thursday reaffirmed that the Department of Education (DepEd) remains committed to delivering quality education despite allegations linking one of its undersecretaries to a supposed kickback scheme in government projects.

The statement came after former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, in a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, named DepEd Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar among those who allegedly received commissions.

Angara assured that the agency 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 Olaivar has gone on leave to give way to due process.

Olaivar has denied the claims and vowed full cooperation in the inquiry.

Bernardo alleged that in 2024, Olaivar asked for a list of projects worth PHP2.85 billion, supposedly carrying a 15-percent “commitment” from unprogrammed funds under the Office of the Executive Secretary. (PNA)