MANILA — Senator Bam Aquino called for stiffer penalties against schools and individuals who defraud government funds under the private school voucher program.

Aquino made the call after a Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) official revealed that some private schools operating under provisional permits had abused the Senior High School (SHS) voucher program through ghost students and other fraudulent acts.

During a hearing of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, which he chairs, Aquino said a separate and higher penalty should be included in the committee report to deter fraud.

“Iyong isa sigurong puwede nating madagdag sa committee report ay a separate penalty for schools or for individuals who are defrauding our students,” Aquino said.

He stressed that the proposed heavier penalties would prevent misuse of funds intended for students’ education.

“Puwede tayong maglagay ng iba pang penalty kasi iyong kinakaso niyo, syndicated estafa. In fact, baka nga falsification of commercial documents lang. But maybe in this bill, we can include the penalties for those who will do fraudulent behavior,” he said.

“Kasi pag ninanakaw natin pera na dapat napupunta sa mga kabataan, parang ibang level po iyon ng kasamaan. So maybe we can recommend in our committee report, in our version, separate penalty for those who are defrauding government and using this voucher system,” Aquino added.

He expressed hope that his proposal would gain the support of his colleagues, emphasizing that stiffer penalties would make potential offenders think twice.

“We will recommend that for the committee and I hope I can get the support of our colleagues, para kung sinuman ang magtatangka na gumawa ng masamang bagay gamit ang sistemang ito, gamit ang pera ng DepEd, magdadalawang isip dahil mayroong separate na penalty na isama. Itaas natin iyong penalty na iyon,” he said.