EDUCATION  Secretary Sonny Angara has assured the public that the Department of Education remains committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity amid allegations involving one of its officials.

“As Secretary of Education, I assure the public that the Department of Education upholds the highest standards of integrity in all our work,” the Education Secretary said in a statement.

The department confirmed that Undersecretary Trygve L. Olaivar has taken a voluntary leave of absence to allow investigations to proceed without affecting DepEd’s operations.

“Undersecretary Trygve L. Olaivar has taken a voluntary leave of absence to allow due process to take its course without distraction to the Department,” Angara said.

Despite the controversy, DepEd emphasized that its primary mission remains unchanged.

“DepEd remains firmly focused on its foremost duty: delivering quality education to every Filipino learner. That mission continues to guide all that we do,” the Secretary stressed.

Olaivar’s name was mentioned by DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on alleged corruption in flood control and infrastructure projects.