Senators on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 slammed the alleged reported existence of “ghost students” in the senior high school (SHS) voucher program of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has filed Senate Resolution No. 1316, asking the Senate Committee on Basic Education to conduct an inquiry into the matter, emphasizing the need to craft the nedded remedial measures.

While acknowledging the efforts made by DepEd since the issue surfaced, Estrada said “Congress may need to legislate measures to strengthen the SHS voucher program, identify prohibited acts, and impose more stringent penalties to violations.”

“It is imperative for the government to monitor the proper implementation of the SHS voucher program to ensure that public funds are judiciously allocated and that the intended beneficiaries of the said program are not deprived of the assistance they need,” Estrada stressed.

“The effectiveness and integrity of the SHS voucher program should persistently be upheld to ensure quality and accessible education for the Filipino youth,” he further said.

DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara had earlier said an investigation is already underway with the agency initiating recourse actions—including preparing for the termination of the schools’ accreditation.

Angara also said DepEd is already gathering evidence against the responsible individuals for the possible filing of administrative and criminal charges.

However, the DepEd has yet to confirm the number of the alleged “ghost students” and has yet to provide a specific amount of funds involved. At least 12 private schools are now being investigated.

“Ang pondong inilaan para sa SHS voucher program na nagkakahalaga mula P17,500 hanggang P22,500 ay dapat pakinabangan ng mga mahihirap na kabataang nangangarap na makapagtapos man lang ng senior high school, hindi ng kung sino-sinong nagmamanipula ng programa ng gobyerno (The funds allocated for the SHS voucher program which cost from P17,500 to P22,500 should be benefited by the poor youth who dream of at least graduating from senior high school, not by whoever manipulates the government program),” Estrada said.

“Ang ayuda sa ilalim ng batas, Republic Act No. 8545, ay para sa lehitimong estudyante, hindi ‘ghost students’ (The aid specified under the law, Republic Act No. 8545, is for legitimate students, not 'ghost students),” Estrada stressed.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, for his part said DepEd’s crackdown on alleged ghost beneficiaries of the SHS Voucher Program only confirms what his committee has uncovered in its inquiry into the implementation of the E-GASTPE Law or Republic Act No. 8545.

“The inquiry revealed that from School Year 2020-2021 to SY 2022-2023, documentary and qualification issues involving 11,825 SHS VP beneficiaries resulted in a projected refund of P310.04-million, with P239.3 -million still to be returned to the government,” he pointed out.

Moving forward, Gatchalian said DepEd should improve its billing system to quickly validate learners and ensure timely payments to schools.

“I have observed that with the increasing SHS-VP budget, some schools prioritize securing vouchers over education quality, which goes against the program’s objective,” he said.

“Also, I will continue pushing for the passage of the Government Assistance to Private Basic Education Act (Senate Bill No. 2911) to help decongest public schools,” he further said.