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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider Business group comes to Angara's rescue amid corruption allegations

Business group comes to Angara's rescue amid corruption allegations

Published Dec 3, 2025 12:04 am  |  Updated Dec 3, 2025 09:43 am
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara ( DepEd file photo)
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara ( DepEd file photo)
The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) affirmed its support to Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara following allegations linking him to the flood control scandal.
The FFCCCII, which comprises over 170 business and trade associations, said the recent allegations involving Angara are “unsubstantiated.”
“The FFCCCII underscores the fundamental importance of due process and the presumption of innocence in our democracy. Public discourse must be anchored in facts and sobriety, not conjecture,” the business group said in a statement, penned by its president Victor Lim.
“To disregard these principles in favor of sensationalism and unfair trial by publicity undermines the very institutions we seek to strengthen and distracts from the urgent work at hand,” it added.
Angara, a former senator, was recently named by former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo among the lawmakers who allegedly pocketed kickbacks from flood control projects.
Bernardo claimed he had transactions with Angara when the secretary chaired the Senate Committee on Finance, which primarily oversees the national budget in the Senate.
Angara has firmly opposed the allegations, saying in a social media post that: “In my 21 years in government we have never been involved in corruption.”
In defense of the DepEd chief, the FFCCCII stressed that the national focus “must remain unequivocally on supporting our educators and learners.”
“We call for any legitimate concerns to be addressed swiftly and fairly through the proper channels,” it said.
At a time when public trust in institutions is paramount, the business group said Angara and his reform agenda at the DepEd is critical to transform the education sector.
“Since his appointment, Secretary Angara has applied this exacting, reformist approach to the Department of Education. His leadership has been characterized by integrity, transparency, and a resolute focus on strengthening systems, empowering teachers, and improving learning outcomes,” FFCCCII said.
“He has brought a spirit of collaboration and data-driven decision-making necessary to address the department's complex challenges and secure our nation's future competitiveness,” it added.
The business group also expressed belief that the secretary will ensure that resources are allocated effectively for the benefit of all Filipino students.
The DepEd is set to receive a ₱1.38-trillion budget based on the latest version of the 2026 national budget, making it the highest allocation for education in the country’s history.
A number of business groups, including the Makati Business Club (MBC) and the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), earlier issued a statement conveying confidence in Angara and his ability to ensure that the proposed funding is allocated to high-priority areas.
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