Private sector backs Angara

MANILA, Philippines —  Amid recent insinuations on corruption, Education Secretary Sonny Angara continues to enjoy the support of major business and education groups.

In a statement yesterday, Angara expressed his gratitude to major business and education groups for reaffirming their confidence in the current Department of Education (DepEd) leadership.

The Philippine Business for Education, Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines and the Association of Foundations noted that sustained confidence in Angara’s reform is crucial to ensuring that increased investments yield meaningful improvements for learners, teachers and schools.

Earlier, the group jointly endorsed the proposed P1.38-trillion allocation for the education sector in the 2026 national budget.

DepEd received a P1.044-trillion budget in the Senate version of the General Appropriations Bill, which is in line with the private sector’s call to move education spending closer to global benchmarks while ensuring stricter transparency and accountability in the bicameral conference committee deliberations.

Angara has been accused by former public works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo of pocketing kickbacks from infrastructure projects along with Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and former Sen. Grace Poe.