DepEd contests vs. 3 officials over voucher program’s ‘ghost students’

Jea Nicole Jacot

Three school officials have been charged with the alleged existence of “ghost beneficiaries” under the Senior High School (SHS) voucher program of the Department of Education (DepEd). 

Photo Courtesy of Rappler/Gerard Carreon/Radyo Agila.

DepEd’s Government Assistance and Subsidies (GAS) Service Office officially filed three criminal cases of consummated and attempted estafa through falsification of documents against the school officials before the Caloocan City prosecutor’s office.

The identities of both the school and the DepEd employees were not disclosed.

“We filed three criminal charges against three individuals for their fraudulent activities under the SHS Voucher Program. Walang puwang ang panlilinlang sa edukasyon,” said DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara in a statement on July 17. 

“We will continue to pursue accountability, no matter who is involved. We owe it to the Filipino people to protect every peso intended for learners,” he added.

In March, the DepEd ordered 54 private schools flagged for irregularities to refund P65 million for School Years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023.

To prevent further misuse of funds, DepEd has worked in close coordination with the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC).

Among the measures done are cross-referencing and verifying data, conducting a 100% system audit, and performing random on-site inspections at participating private schools.

The voucher program aims to provide financial assistance to eligible students enrolling in private schools or non-DepEd schools, where they can avail of tuition subsidies amounting to Php 14,000 up to Php 18,000.