DepEd Usec Olaivar takes leave, denies link to flood control mess

Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar denied Thursday allegations linking him to the flood control project controversy and said he will take a voluntary leave of absence to allow a fair investigation into the matter.

“Earlier today, DPWH Usec. (Roberto) Bernardo mentioned my name in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing. I deny the allegations made and want to state clearly that I welcome any investigation regarding this matter,” Olaivar said in a statement.

“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,” he added.

Olaivar’s name surfaced during the continuation of the Senate blue ribbon committee’s probe into alleged ghost and substandard flood control projects worth billions of pesos, a scandal that has implicated several officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Aside from Olaivar, Bernardo also tagged several personalities including Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, former senators Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. and Nancy Binay, and Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co. —AOL, GMA Integrated News