Malacañang reacted positively to the Department of Education’s (DepEd) retrieval of P65 million from the irregularities in the Senior High School Voucher Program.
In a press briefing on Friday, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro noted that the discovery of such irregularities was made possible by the leadership of Secretary Sonny Angara at DepEd.
With this, she remarked that DepEd will not end up in the dumpster, as its leader is taking necessary actions to address the issues within the agency.
"So, with this result, we can now say that DepEd will not be put to dumpster. Hindi po mapupunta sa basurahan ngayon ang DepEd dahil may ginagawa," Castro stated.
"Kung nagkataon po kaya na hindi pa siya ang naging pinuno nito, baka hindi pa po ito naimbestigahan. At hindi natin mari-recover ang 65 million pesos na pondo mula sa mga ghost students," she added.
According to Castro, the ghost student issue traces back to the time of former President Rodrigo Duterte and while Vice President Sara Duterte held the position of DepEd Secretary.
She then shared that the agency has taken action by issuing an ultimatum and sending demand letters to the schools linked to the ghost student issue.
The DepEd previously reported that of the 54 private schools, 38 have returned the full amount, two have refunded partially, and 14 have not refunded any money in line with the said voucher program.
