MANILA — The Senate on Monday pressed the Department of Education (DepEd) for answers after fresh allegations surfaced involving thousands of supposed “ghost students” recorded under the Senior High School Voucher Program from 2021 to 2024.
During deliberations on DepEd’s 2025 budget, Sen. Risa Hontiveros revealed that a whistleblower from Pangasinan raised concerns over fictitious enrollees but was allegedly threatened for speaking up. She asked whether DepEd was aware of the anomaly and what actions had been taken.
Budget sponsor Sen. Win Gatchalian confirmed that DepEd itself discovered the irregularities and immediately launched an internal probe.
According to Gatchalian, charges have already been filed against seven private schools allegedly involved in fraudulent claims under the voucher program. Another 22 schools remain under active investigation, with DepEd expected to file additional cases once the findings are completed this year.
The senator also noted that two DepEd personnel have been formally charged in connection with the scheme.
Gatchalian said the full list of implicated schools will be provided to Hontiveros but cannot yet be disclosed publicly due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing investigations.
The probe comes after earlier reports that 55 schools were removed from the voucher program following a DepEd audit, as the agency intensifies efforts to curb fraud and protect government education funds.
