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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ex-DPWH official tags DepEd exec in flood control project mess

Ex-DPWH official tags DepEd exec in flood control project mess

Published Sep 25, 2025 04:02 pm

At A Glance

  • Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo identified the official as DepEd undersecretary Trygve Olaivar, who used to work for Senators Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. and Sonny Angara, who is now the DepEd secretary.


An official of the Department of Education (DepEd) has been named as one of the alleged recipients of kickbacks from government flood control projects.

Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo identified the official as DepEd undersecretary Trygve Olaivar, who used to work for Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Sonny Angara, who is now the DepEd secretary.

According to Bernardo, Olaivar demanded kickbacks in infrastructure projects “supposedly for the Office of the Secretary.”

“Sometime (in)  2024, Usec. Olaivar personally called me for a meeting to discuss about Unprogrammed Appropriations supposedly for the Office of the Executive Secretary. In the said meeting, he requested me to submit a list of projects,” Bernardo said while reading his affidavit during the continuation of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation into the flood control mess.

According to Bernardo, Olaivar asked for 15 percent cut out of P2.85 billion worth of DPWH projects.

Bernardo also said former Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara would, from time to time, collect and deliver the agreed 15 percent commitment “to me, which I delivered or cause to be delivered to Usec. Olaivar in Magallanes, Makati and other places.”

But Olaivar denied Bernardo’s allegations in a statement.

“I deny the allegations made and want to state clearly that I welcome any investigation regarding this matter. To allow a fair inquiry, I will voluntarily take a leave of absence from my post and am ready to fully cooperate with any and all proceedings,” Olaivar said.

Angara had also said that Olaivar “has informed me he will be taking a leave from DepEd.”

According to the DepEd website, Olaivar joined the agency on Aug. 2, 2024 as undersecretary.

However, Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan wanted to know more about Olaivar, asking Rep. Toby Tiangco if he personally knew the DepEd undersecretary.

But Tiangco said he has no personal knowledge of who Olaivar is.

This prompted Pangilinan to make a motion asking the Senate blue ribbon panel to invite Olaivar in the next hearing.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, then, approved Pangilinan’s motion.

Related Tags

DepEd flood control probe DPWH Senate probe Senate Blue Ribbon Committee
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