Senator Bam Aquino Advocates for Harsher Penalties in SHS Voucher Fraud Cases
MANILA. Senator Bam Aquino is urging the implementation of stricter and more specific penalties for individuals and private schools found guilty of defrauding government funds under the Senior High School (SHS) voucher program. This call to action follows alarming reports of widespread abuse, including the use of ghost students and falsified records to exploit the system.
Proposal Raised During Senate Hearing
Aquino, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education, introduced this proposal during a recent hearing focused on modernizing and strengthening government support for private basic education. The discussion highlighted the need for robust measures to safeguard public funds intended for student assistance.
The senator's initiative was prompted by disclosures from an official of the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC), who revealed that some private schools operating under provisional permits have engaged in fraudulent practices to take advantage of the SHS voucher system.
Inadequacy of Current Legal Frameworks
According to Aquino, existing laws used to prosecute such cases may be insufficient to address the severity of the offenses. Currently, many complaints are filed under charges such as syndicated estafa or falsification of documents. However, Aquino argues that these charges do not fully capture the gravity of stealing public funds specifically allocated for students' education.
"One thing we can probably add to the committee report is a separate penalty for schools or individuals who are defrauding our students," Aquino stated during the hearing. He emphasized that education-related fraud should be treated differently from other financial crimes, as it directly impacts young people and deprives deserving students of crucial government support.
Deepening the Legal Response
Aquino pointed out that the misuse of voucher funds represents a particularly egregious form of wrongdoing because the money is designated to help students continue their education. "These cases are often filed as syndicated estafa, or sometimes only as falsification of commercial documents. But maybe in this bill, we can include specific penalties for those who engage in fraudulent behavior," he explained.
He further stressed, "When you steal money that is supposed to go to the youth, that is a different level of wrongdoing. That is why we should recommend a separate penalty for those who defraud the government using this voucher system."
Goals of the Proposed Measures
Aquino believes that by incorporating specialized and heavier penalties into the committee report on the modernization of private basic education, the Senate can send a strong message that public funds for education are untouchable. The primary objectives of this proposal include:
- Punishing offenders who exploit the SHS voucher program.
- Preventing future abuses by deterring potential violators through the threat of severe consequences.
- Ensuring that vouchers are directed exclusively to legitimate students in genuine need of financial assistance.
The senator also underscored the necessity for private schools participating in the program to adhere to higher standards of transparency and accountability, given their responsibility in handling public funds.
Seeking Senate Support and Future Steps
Aquino expressed optimism that his fellow senators would back the proposal once it is formally included in the committee's version of the measure. "We will recommend this in the committee report, and I hope I can get the support of our colleagues," he said. "So that anyone who attempts to do something wrong using this system, using the Department of Education's funds, will think twice because there will be a separate penalty. Let us raise that penalty."
He concluded that strengthening safeguards and imposing tougher sanctions are essential steps to protect the integrity of the SHS voucher program and ensure that government resources effectively reach the students they are intended to serve. (ABC)
