Jinggoy seeks Senate probe on alleged 'ghost students'
February 19, 2025
Jinggoy seeks Senate probe on alleged 'ghost students'
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has called for a Senate investigation into the reported existence of "ghost students" in the senior high school (SHS) voucher program of the Department of Education (DepEd), emphasizing the need to craft needed remedial measures.
Estrada acknowledged the efforts made by DepEd since the issue surfaced but stressed that "Congress may need to legislate measures to strengthen the SHS voucher program, identify prohibited acts, and impose more stringent penalties to violations."
"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 called probe is in "aid of legislation."
In his filed Senate Resolution No. 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.
While DepEd Sec. Sonny Angara has stated that an investigation is already underway, and that the agency has initiated recourse actions -- including preparing for the termination of the schools' accreditation and gathering evidence against responsible individuals for the possible filing of administrative and criminal charges - there is still no information on the number of "ghost students" or the amount of the funds involved.
At least 12 private schools are now under investigation by the DepEd for allegedly having "ghost students" listed as beneficiaries of the SHS voucher program.
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.
"Ang pondong inilaan para sa SHS voucher program na nagkakahalaga mula P17,500 hanggang P22,500 ay dapat pakinabangan ng mga mahihirap na kabataang nangangarap na makapagtapos man lang ng senior high school, hindi ng kung sino-sinong nagmamanipula ng programa ng gobyerno. Ang ayuda sa ilalim ng batas, Republic Act No. 8545, ay para sa lehitimong estudyante, hindi 'ghost students'," Estrada stressed.
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