Senator Bam Aquino is pushing for reforms to crack down on fraud in the private school voucher program after revelations that some schools abused government funds through so-called ghost students.
Aquino called for tougher and separate penalties for schools or individuals found defrauding the Senior High School Voucher Program, saying existing laws may not be enough to address abuses unique to the voucher system. He raised the proposal after an official of the Private Education Assistance Committee disclosed that some private schools operating under provisional permits had claimed vouchers for non-existent students.
The senator made the call during a hearing of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, which he chairs, as lawmakers discussed measures to modernize and strengthen government support for private basic education.
“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 noted that while current laws already penalize offenses such as syndicated estafa and falsification of documents, these may fall short when applied to systematic abuse of education vouchers.
“Puwede tayong maglagay ng iba pang penalty… maybe in this bill, we can include the penalties for those who will do fraudulent behavior,” he said.
Aquino stressed that misuse of education funds deserves harsher punishment because the impact is borne directly by learners.
“Kasi pag ninanakaw natin pera na dapat napupunta sa mga kabataan, parang ibang level po iyon ng kasamaan,” he said.
He said the proposed penalties would be formally recommended in the committee report to deter schools and individuals from exploiting the system and to protect funds intended for students.
“Itaas natin iyong penalty na iyon,” Aquino said.
Aquino expressed hope that the proposal would gain support in the Senate, saying stronger sanctions would force institutions and individuals to think twice before misusing public education funds and would help restore integrity to the voucher program.
