Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday, September 6, criticized Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno’s for pushing for a national competitive examination among students who wish to qualify for college tuition subsidy instead of supporting the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education (UAQTE) law.

Hontiveros said she is embarrassed to see that the government itself is questioning the feasibility of the government’s free college education program to ensure that students have access to affordable education.

“Nakakahiyang mismong ang gobyerno ang umaatras sa constitutional duty nitong siguraduhin na accessible ang education sa lahat ng antas para sa lahat (It’s shameful to see that the government itself is backing out of its constitutional duty to ensure education is accessible for all),” Sen. Risa Hontiveros said in a statement on Wednesday, September 6.

“As it stands, free tertiary education prioritizes the youth who are academically able and who come from poor families.

With Sec. Diokno's proposal, mas may deserving pa ba sa kanila na mapabuti ang kalagayaan at maabot ang pangarap na makapagtapos ng pag-aaral (Is there anyone else who are more deserving to improve their status in life and reach their dreams to finish their studies)?” Hontiveros pointed out.

Diokno considered the free college program as “inefficient and wasteful.”

According to the Department of Finance chief, a nationwide test would ascertain who should be entitled to free education, considering that not all state universities and colleges (SUCs) are equal.

“The score of the examinee will determine which SUC and its campus he or she will be assigned. Theoretically, as a government scholar he is entitled to an amount of education voucher. He may refuse to enroll in an SUC assigned to him,” Diokno said.

Diokno also suggested that the government allow those who passed the nationwide exam and are entitled to free education to use their entitlement of a four-year voucher to enter or reject their assigned state university.

They can also be given an option to choose a government accredited private university.

However, Hontiveros warned Diokno that being selective in the implementation of universal access to quality tertiary education won't address the perennial issue of dropout rates.

“Unless our economic managers, like Sec. Diokno, address rising costs of education-related day-to-day expenses—mula sa pamasahe, pagkain o pambaon, at iba pa—and providing families jobs and livelihood to prevent students from dropping out of school.

“Trabaho ng gobyerno na bigyang dagdag na suporta at ayuda ang mga mag-aaral na makumpleto at makapagtapos ng kanilang pag-aaral (It is the job of the government to support and provide assistance to students so they can complete and finish their studies),” she said.

Providing free tuition is the first step, and the government should do more to ensure their day-to-day expenses are met, added the senator.

Hontiveros pointed out that if the government is serious about addressing the issue of wasteful use of government funds, Diokno should train his sights on the questionable amount of confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs) being asked by some key government agencies.

“Kung gusto talagang tulungan ni Sec. Diokno ang usapin ng maaksayang paggamit ng pondo ng gobyerno, bakit hindi niya busisiin ang mga pondong nailagak sa mga ahensyang hindi naman dapat, gaya ng confidential funds, at mga hindi nagagamit ng tama (If Sec. Diokno really wants to fix the issue of wasteful use of public funds, then why don’t he scrutinize the funds allocated for agencies that should not be receiving confidential funds and those who could not even utilize their budget properly)?” she pointed out.

Hontiveros earlier questioned the P500-million CIF asked by the Office of the Vice President, headed by vice president Sara Duterte, saying the OVP has no business using such funds since its programs are unrelated to security matters.