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Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara refuted any affiliation with the irregular infrastructure initiatives within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“We dismiss any suggestion made today that we played a role in irregular projects. Throughout my 21 years in public service, we have never been implicated in corruption,” he expressed in a post on social media this Friday.
This statement follows comments made by former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto M. Bernardo during a Senate blue ribbon committee session, where he alleged that Education Undersecretary Trygve L. Olaivar received a 12% share from infrastructure contracts during Mr. Angara’s tenure as chair of the Senate Finance Committee.
Mr. Bernardo recalled that he first encountered Mr. Olaivar in 2010 while employed by then-senator Ramon “Bong” B. Revilla, Jr.
The latter has since worked under the deceased Senator Edgardo J. Angara and his progeny.
“Usec. Trygve and I also engaged in dealings pertaining to Senator Angara between 2019 and 2024, wherein Usec. Trygve received supplies amounting to 12% of the projects of Senator Sonny Angara when he chaired the finance committee,” Mr. Bernardo stated.
In September, Mr. Bernardo additionally claimed that Mr. Olaivar sought a 15% slice from P2.85 billion-worth of infrastructure assignments, purportedly for Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.—Almira Louise S. Martinez
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