SENATE President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada wants the Senate to investigate the existence of “ghost students” in the senior high school (SHS) voucher program of the Department of Education (DepEd), as revealed by Secretary Sonny Angara.
While acknowledging the effort being undertaken by Angara, their former colleague in the chamber, Estrada noted that “Congress may need to legislate measures to strengthen the SHS voucher program, identify prohibited acts, and impose more stringent penalties to violations.”
Angara said that at least 12 schools are involved in the scam but declined to name them.
“It is imperative for the government to monitor the proper implementation of the SHS voucher program to ensure that public funds are judiciously allocated and that the intended beneficiaries of the said program are not deprived of the assistance they need,” Estrada said, underscoring that the probe is in “aid of legislation.”
Under Senate Resolution 1316, Estrada sought to have the Committee on Basic Education conduct the inquiry.
“The effectiveness and integrity of the SHS voucher program should persistently be upheld to ensure quality and accessible education for the Filipino youth,” Estrada explained.
Under DepEd Department Order No. 46 issued on October 15, 2015, the penalty for including “ghost students” or padding enrollment lists entail returning the payments to DepEd that were equivalent to the amounts disbursed for these identified ghost students.
Additionally, the school’s participation in the SHS voucher program may be terminated.
Estrada noted that each qualified student is entitled to a subsidy ranging from P17,500 to P22,500, amounts that should not go to “those manipulating the program of the government.”
“Ang ayuda sa ilalim ng batas, Republic Act No. 8545, ay para sa lehitimong estudyante, hindi ‘ghost students’,” Estrada stressed.