Angara-led DepEd won't end up in a dumpster -Palace

Malacañang on Friday welcomed the recovery of around P65 million from schools flagged for irregularities in Senior High School Voucher Program (SHS-VP) claims.

In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro assured the public that under the leadership of Education Secretary Sonny Angara, the Department of Education will not "end up in a dumpster."

''Yes, maganda pong balita ito. Tandaan po natin, ito’y nasa pamumuno na po ng DepEd ni Secretary Sonny Angara, na imbestigahan po ng mabuti iyong ghost students, iyong voucher program anomalies, at ito po ay magreresulta ng P65 million mare-recover po natin," Castro said. 

(This is good news. Under Secretary Angara’s leadership, DepEd has thoroughly investigated ghost students and anomalies in the voucher program, leading to the recovery of P65 million.)

She also pointed out that these irregularities occurred between 2021 and 2023, during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte and when Vice President Sara Duterte was DepEd secretary.

"Itong mga ghost students na ito ay nagsimula noong 2021 to 2022 ah, 2022 to 2023. Ito po ay panahon ni dating Pangulong [Rodrigo] Duterte, at panahon noong naging DepEd secretary si VP Sara,'' Castro added.

(These ghost students were from 2021 to 2022 and 2022 to 2023—under former President Duterte and then-DepEd Secretary VP Sara.)

GMA News Online has sought comment from VP Duterte and her representatives, but they have yet to respond as of posting time.

Castro had previously addressed Vice President Duterte's recent remark that the Philippines was "working to go to the dumpster'' under the Marcos administration by countering that VP Duterte was abroad attending to her father's case at the International Criminal Court despite her responsibilities as vice president.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte is under the custody of the ICC in the Hague due to crimes against humanity charges.

Meanwhile, DepEd reported that out of 54 schools terminated from the SHS-VP, 38 have fully refunded the government, while two have made partial refunds.  

The remaining 14 schools have yet to return the funds, and final demand letters will be issued to ensure compliance.

DepEd added that further investigations were needed to determine if these financial irregularities constitute fraud. — DVM, GMA Integrated News