DepEd files criminal charges against SHS voucher program violators; Angara vows accountability
DepEd, under Secretary Sonny Angara, files criminal cases over SHS subsidy fraud, pledging zero tolerance for corruption in education. (MB Visual Content Group)
The Department of Education (DepEd) has filed criminal charges against individuals accused of defrauding the Senior High School (SHS) Voucher Program.
In a bold move to protect public funds and uphold integrity in education, DepEd, under the leadership of Secretary Sonny Angara, announced that it has formally lodged three criminal cases against three suspects involved in fraudulent activities related to the government’s SHS subsidy program.
“We filed three criminal charges against three individuals for their fraudulent activities under the SHS Voucher Program,” said DepEd Secretary Angara in a statement. “Walang puwang ang panlilinlang sa edukasyon (There is no place for deception in education),” he stressed.
“We will continue to pursue accountability, no matter who is involved,” Angara said. “We owe it to the Filipino people to protect every peso intended for learners,” he added.
The SHS Voucher Program is a key government initiative that provides financial assistance to qualified Grade 11 and 12 students in private or non-DepEd schools.
The misuse of such funds directly affects access to quality education, especially among disadvantaged Filipino youth, DepEd said.
Under Angara’s administration, DepEd emphasized its firm stance against corruption and irregularities. “Naniniwala tayong hindi dapat nahahaluan ng katiwalian ang edukasyon (We believe that corruption has no place in education),” DepEd said in a Facebook post.
Strengthening oversight and public trust
DepEd also assured the public that it is working closely with law enforcement agencies and auditing bodies to ensure due process and strengthen internal monitoring mechanisms.
The department is calling on stakeholders, school administrators, and the public to report suspicious activities that may compromise the integrity of education programs.