MANILA, Philippines – A senate investigation into the reported existence of “ghost students” in the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Senior High School (SHS) voucher program is now being sought following the department’s disclosure.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada filed Senate Resolution No. 1316, urging the Senate Committee on Basic Education to look into the alleged fraudulent listing of students in at least 12 private schools benefiting from the program.

“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, stressing that the probe is “in aid of legislation.”

The senator acknowledged DepEd’s ongoing investigation but maintained that Congress may need to craft measures to “strengthen the SHS voucher program, identify prohibited acts, and impose more stringent penalties to violations.”

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara earlier confirmed that an internal probe is underway, with the agency preparing to revoke the accreditation of implicated schools and gather evidence for possible administrative and criminal charges. 

However, the department has yet to disclose the exact number of “ghost students” involved or the amount of funds potentially lost to the scheme.

Under DepEd Department Order No. 46, issued on October 15, 2015, schools found guilty of padding enrollment lists with ghost students must return the corresponding payments to DepEd.

Additionally, their 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,” Estrada said.

“Ang ayuda sa ilalim ng batas, Republic Act No. 8545, ay para sa lehitimong estudyante, hindi ‘ghost students’,” he said.

The SHS voucher program, established under Republic Act No. 8545 or the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act, provides financial assistance to students enrolling in private schools for senior high school.