OMBUDSMAN FOR DEPED

THERE is an appeal for the creation of a deputy ombudsman that will focus solely on complaints of corruption in education and social services.

Rep. Chel Diokno of Akbayan Partylist said this move is necessary considering the Department of Education's aim to seek its largest budget in its history -- over P900 billion for 2026.

In response, DepEd Sec. Sonny Angara outlined sweeping reforms designed to fix problems facing his agency.

The most significant move involved streamlining the textbook acquisition process.