A former lawyer, who worked full-time in legal advocacy, has come forward with shocking allegations of a deeply entrenched system of corruption within a Department of Education (DepEd) division office. The lawyer, whose account was published on January 13, 2026, detailed how job applicants and teachers were forced to pay bribes for employment and promotions, describing a scheme locally termed the "wrong-king system."
The "Wrong-King" Hiring Scheme: Cash for Job Slots
According to the lawyer's clients, who were applicants at the DepEd office, the Human Resources (HR) department would routinely tell candidates to "come back at 2 o'clock," "come back at 3 o'clock," or "come back at 4 o'clock." However, this was not a literal instruction about time. The "time" mentioned was a coded demand for a cash bribe.
Being told to "come back at 2" meant the applicant needed to bring two thousand pesos upon their return. The requested amount varied based on several factors. If the position was easy to fill, had few applicants, or was a lower-level role, the demanded "time" (or bribe) was smaller. For desirable positions with many competitors, the price tag was significantly higher.
The lawyer's clients also reported that physical appearance played a role. Attractive or "sexy" female applicants were quoted a lower "time" and were even asked for their cellphone numbers by HR personnel. Those deemed less attractive faced a much higher financial demand.
This practice was a perversion of the legitimate ranking system, leading to its nickname: the "wrong-king system." The lawyer emphasized that the law was completely disregarded, with the process hinging on corrupt dealings.
Promotions Demanded 'Special Services' and Political Backing
The corruption did not end with hiring. Teachers seeking promotion faced their own set of exploitative hurdles. First, they needed a clean record with no complaints from students or parents.
More egregiously, they were expected to curry favor with their Principal and District Supervisor by providing "extra or special services." This included gifts of live pigs, goats, chickens, food, fruits, and outright cash during occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.
Those who were not generous found their documents delayed or unsigned. Principals were known to observe which teachers gave the most or the best gifts during school events, favoring those donors. Having a politician as a backer provided a major advantage, further distorting the process and contributing to the "wrong-king" outcome where well-connected candidates were prioritized over qualified ones.
Parallel Case: P400,000 Demand at Bureau of Fire Protection
In a related recent incident highlighting that such practices extend beyond DepEd, a mother sought legal help for her child who was an applicant at the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
Her child had successfully answered all questions, submitted required documents, and passed all posted requirements. Yet, they failed the interview. The reason? The interviewer demanded 400,000 pesos, stating that the application documents would not be processed without payment.
The distressed mother questioned how an ordinary family could possibly afford such a sum. According to her, the applicant's classmates faced the same demand of 400,000 pesos each. The lawyer provided legal advice, leaving the decision on how to proceed to the mother.
These accounts paint a troubling picture of systemic corruption in government hiring and promotion processes, where merit is sidelined by monetary demands and personal connections, creating significant barriers for honest Filipinos seeking public service careers.
