Independent presidential candidate Panfilo "Ping" Lacson has vowed to put a premium on the quality of education through a more inclusive and better scholarship package.

Lacson said he is aware that despite legislative measures aimed at promoting free access to higher education, coursed through various agencies under the executive branch, some students who come from poverty-stricken families are still relying on scholarship programs provided by their local politicians.

He expressed concerns that under such an arrangement, some deserving students who probably have no political connections might be left out of these scholarship grants, despite meeting all the requirements to be qualified for the program.

“Because as legislators wala kaming (we have no) authority to implement projects. But that is, in effect, implementation. Because why would senators and congressmen choose the scholars?” said Lacson in a town hall forum held in Bangued, Abra last Tuesday (April 26)

“Minsan favoritism nga. (Sometimes there is favoritism.) (Sa) anak ng mga leaders, doon binibigay (ang) scholarships, nade-deny ‘yung mga qualified (The scholarship grants go to the children of political leaders, denying it to those who are more qualified),” Lacson pointed out.

If elected as the next president, Lacson said he would empower the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to implement state-funded scholarship programs and distribute financial assistance to all deserving students, free from the control and influence of meddlesome politicians.

Lacson also told Abra residents about his and running mate Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III’s other plans for the education sector, including the ‘Edukasyon Plus’ agenda, which has a paid internship program for undergraduate students who are training for their future careers.

The "Edukasyon Plus" program has been designed to keep students in schools and give them the opportunity, at the same time, to improve their living conditions.

Under this measure, working students will be entitled to receive at least P5,000 allowance from the national government.

On top of these projects, state-funded scholarship programs await students who are interested to learn about science and technology, agriculture, sports development, business and government affairs under a Lacson administration.

The idea is to search and develop the skills and talents of young Filipinos who are naturally gifted at something, so they can be better prepared emotionally and mentally to help solve the problems of the future and other global challenges, as well as take on leadership roles.

Lacson also said he wants to update the basic education program offered to students in both public and private academic institutions by putting high value on good manners and right conduct, digital media literacy, financial literacy and gender development studies.