Ghost Beneficiaries: DepEd Targets Fraud in Voucher Scheme

Photo courtesy of PhilStar

In a determined effort to combat fraud, the Department of Education (DepEd) has filed criminal cases against seven private schools accused of claiming subsidies for non-existent beneficiaries under the senior high school voucher programme. Education Secretary Sonny Angara announced the legal actions during a budget meeting on Wednesday, 3rd September.

As Angara addressed the House appropriations committee, he revealed that DepEd’s legal department had taken the cases to the prosecutor's office and issued demand letters to the schools involved. The total financial amount in question is a staggering 61.9 million Thai Baht.

“These schools have been reported for having ghost beneficiaries,” Angara explained, highlighting a significant attempt to reclaim funds misappropriated under false pretences.

Dennis Legaspi, Chief of DepEd's media relations, confirmed the criminal nature of the cases, which include charges of estafa through the falsification of commercial documents. Additionally, the schools face accusations under Republic Act 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

The effort to root out corruption is part of a broader crackdown by DepEd on private schools misusing the senior high school programme. This initiative supports students by subsidising a portion of their tuition fees in Grades 11 and 12.

The significance of this action is underscored by past measures. In July, DepEd's government assistance office filed similar charges against officials from three other schools involved in such anomalies. Angara had earlier indicated that DepEd could potentially recover over 168 million Thai Baht in fraudulent claims and had already demanded refunds totalling 65 million Thai Baht from 54 schools.

These incidents are only the latest in a string of investigations cracking down on fraudulent claims. In March, during a House inquiry, it was revealed that DepEd withheld approximately 260 million Thai Baht in subsidies during the 2023-2024 school year due to fake enrolments involving around 22,000 phantom students.

The discovery of these ghost beneficiaries has prompted a closer review from DepEd. Further investigations are ongoing, with the potential for additional charges against more institutions in the future. “We’re continuing to probe similar cases and will provide updates as new information emerges,” assured Angara.

This situation reflects ongoing challenges within educational subsidy systems and highlights the need for stringent checks and balances. The DepEd’s proactive measures signal their commitment to ensuring that subsidies reach legitimate students and are not siphoned off through corruption.

As this story unfolds, more institutions could find themselves under scrutiny, serving as a stark warning to other schools engaged in similar practices. The impact of these investigations is expected to resonate throughout the education sector, prompting better compliance and integrity in administering government subsidies.

Such developments underscore the complex nature of implementing large-scale educational programmes and emphasise the importance of accountability and transparency. The actions taken by DepEd illustrate a decisive step towards safeguarding public funds intended for education, reinforcing public trust in the system.

As more schools come under the lens, these proceedings will be crucial in shaping the future landscape of educational funding and maintaining credibility within the sector. The story continues, with DepEd determined to ensure that education funding serves its rightful beneficiaries.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from PhilStar 2025-09-03