# data[].attributes.headline
Shortage of School Principals in Philippine Public Schools

# data[].attributes.subject
Shortage of School Principals in Philippine Public Schools

# data[].attributes.body
School principals are crucial in ensuring quality education, but thousands of public schools in the Philippines are left without one. This lack of leadership disrupts school operations and affects student learning. This raises the need to push for immediate action in appointing qualified principals, ensuring that schools function effectively for the benefit of students.

# data[].attributes.body
The Senior High School voucher program is meant to address issues in the education system in the Philippines, but the greed of some individuals hampers its potential to do so. This then becomes a call to actively support the probe into this matter, ensuring that students who need assistance will be able to benefit.

# data[].attributes.headline
Shortage of classrooms in the Philippines may take many years to solve

# data[].attributes.subject
Shortage of classrooms in the Philippines may take many years to solve

# data[].attributes.body
Without classrooms, there wouldn't be any schools. Classrooms are essential to education because they provide a focused environment for students to study. The learning of many students may suffer if there are not enough classrooms in this country. Due to their tendency to be overcrowded, public schools are primarily affected by this issue. Delays, underutilization, and inefficient budget use are the main causes of the slow classroom construction.

# data[].attributes.headline
Education Under Crisis: Allegations of Fund Misuse Under Duterte's Leadership

# data[].attributes.subject
Education Under Crisis: Allegations of Fund Misuse Under Duterte's Leadership

# data[].attributes.body
This issue highlights how the misuse of public funds directly affects the quality of education in the Philippines, from inadequate classroom facilities to insufficiently funded programs that could potentially boost and improve learning conditions. As students who are still going through the process of completing our higher education, we feel the impact of these systemic problems the most, and it's frustrating to see how resources meant to support our education are being mismanaged in favor of personal gain instead of addressing the urgent needs in schools and universities.

# data[].attributes.body
An article written by Lalu (2025) quoted Ortega stating that “Likewise, what they’re doing is just a distraction because they still have not answered who Mary Grace is, so what they are doing is to look for distraction, look for diversion so that the issue would not be discussed publicly. That’s their strategy.” This quotation in the article underscores how the unresolved questions about fund misuse under Duterte's leadership take attention away from addressing pressing issues in the education sector.

Pabico, G. (2025, March 3). Dutertes diverting attention away from OVP fund misuse – Ortega. Inquirer.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2039983/dutertes-diverting-attention-away-from-ovp-fund-misuse-issue-ortega

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Dutertes ‘diverting’ attention away from OVP fund misuse issue – Ortega

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
MANILA, Philippines — La Union 1st District Rep. Paolo Ortega has accused the Dutertes of "diverting" public attention away from fund misuse allegations hounding the office of Vice

# data[].attributes.body
An article by Pedrajas (2025) has stated that “private schools have been listing non-existent students as early as 2016. This has reportedly led to the loss of millions worth of people's money as well as trust in the education system.”

Pedrajas, J. (2025, February 27). Solon calls for House inquiry into DepEd's 'ghost beneficiaries' under Dutertes. Manila Bulletin. https://mb.com.ph/2025/2/27/solon-calls-for-house-inquiry-into-dep-ed-s-ghost-beneficiaries-under-dutertes-2

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. and House Assistant Majority Leader Jil Bongalon on Thursday, Feb. 27 urged the House to conduct an inquiry into the alleged presence of "ghost beneficiaries" in the senior high school (SHS) voucher program of the Department of Education (DepEd), which allegedly started during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte and continued under the helm of former Education secretary, Vice President Sara Duterte.

Bongalon's call for a motu proprio inquiry came as he cited reports that private schools have been listing non-existent students as early as 2016.

This has reporteldly led to the loss of millions worth of people's money as well as trust in the education system.

According to the lawmaker, the scheme appears to have started as early as 2016 under former president Duterte's administration and continued under the leadership of impeached Vice President Duterte, when she led DepEd from 2022 to 2024.

"Hindi biro ang pinag-uusapan dito-pondo ito ng bayan na dapat sana'y para sa edukasyon. Kung hahayaan lang nating tuluyang mamayagpag ang mga gumagawa ng katiwalian, sino pa ang sasandalan ng mga estudyanteng tunay na nangangailangan? (This is not just a small thing. We're already talking about the country's funds that should have been used for the education sector. If we will let those people involved in corruption have their way, who else would help the students in need?)" he said.

Bongalon said that under Vice President Duterte's watch, concerns were raised that insufficient safeguards and lax oversight allowed the scam to persist.

"Ilang taon na pala ang ghosting modus na ito, pero bakit parang napabayaan na lang na magpatuloy? Kailangan nating silipin kung nasaan ang butas at sino ang dapat managot (This ghosting modus has persisted for many years, yet why it continues to happen? We need to look at it and pinpoint those who need to be made accountable)," he said, noting that continued inaction could undermine current efforts to strengthen the voucher program.

Although DepEd, under its new chief, Secretary Sonny Angara, already initiated an internal probe into 12 private schools for allegedly submitting bogus enrollees, Congress must conduct a parallel investigation to legislate measures that will prevent such schemes from recurring, said Bongalon.

The separate House inquiry will ensure accountability not only among school owners but also within DepEd, particularly with officials who may have overlooked or even facilitated the fraud, he added.

He explained that a congressional probe would complement DepEd's efforts, and allow the House committees to summon not only school administrators but also present and former DepEd officials.

Bongalon said the parallel investigations would ensure that all aspects of the controversy are examined, thus preventing any possible cover-up.

The SHS voucher program was established to decongest public schools by providing financial assistance to qualified students who chose to enroll in private senior high schools.

In principle, the program benefits both sectors: public schools gain relief from overcrowding, while private institutions receive students who bring in government subsidies, ideally improving their financial sustainability.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Solon calls for House inquiry into DepEd's 'ghost beneficiaries' under Dutertes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This has reporteldly led to the loss of millions worth of people's money as well as trust in the education system.

# data[].attributes.body
Teleradyo Serbisyo. (2025, March 1). DepEd officials may be accomplices on ‘ghost students’ in voucher program: solon | (01 March 2025) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnvtHDRKJZ8&pp=ygUUZGVwZWQgZ2hvc3Qgc3R1ZGVudHM%3D

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
DepEd officials may be accomplices on ‘ghost students’ in voucher program: solon | (01 March 2025)

# data[].attributes.body
An article by Reyes (2025) reports that "the government plans to add 15,000 new plantilla positions this year for school officials nationwide after it earlier reported that more than half of the country’s public schools were without principals."

Reyes, D. (2025, February 13). Gov’t to open 15,000 new posts for public school principals. Philippine Daily Inquirer. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2034111/govt-to-open-15000-new-posts-for-public-school-principals

# data[].attributes.body
Rappler. (2025, February 11). How DepEd plans to address lack of 25,000 school principals [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBLhH_E0X7g&utm_source=chatgpt.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
DepEd addressing 'alarming' shortage of principals cited in EDCOM II report | ANC

# data[].attributes.headline
Establishing Basic Education voucher program

# data[].attributes.subject
Establishing Basic Education voucher program

# data[].attributes.body
The aim of HB No.11214 is to provide quality basic education more accessible by providing financial assistance (vouchers) to students in public school to study in private schools. It aims to expand its coverage to kindergarten to Senior High school. This grants other forms of assistance to private schools basic education institutions.

It has two specific conditions: 1. Equitable allocation of the voucher program among all regions and 2. 70% of the smount subsidized alloted for tuition or of the tuition increases shall go to payment of salaries, wages, allowances and other benefits and 3. At least 20% of the voucher shall go to the improvement or modernization of buildings and equipment.

# data[].attributes.body
An article by Quismorio (2025) says that “On the strength of 202 "yes" votes, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading the proposed Act establishing the private basic education voucher Program.”

Quismorio, E. (2025, January 29). Bill establishing private basic education voucher program gets final House nod. Manila Bulletin. https://mb.com.ph/2025/1/29/bill-establishing-private-basic-education-voucher-program-gets-final-house-nod

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Bill establishing private basic education voucher program gets final House nod

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It seeks to expand the government assistance and subsidies of the law.

# data[].attributes.body
An article by Angelo (2025) reported that the Philippines has been dealing with a shortage of classrooms and that if it persists, it could take over two decades to resolve. In Western Visayas alone schools require over 13,000 additional classrooms to bridge gap in learning facilities.

Guardian, D. (2025, February 6). Two-decade dilemma: PHL classroom shortage will take 20 years to resolve. Daily Guardian. https://dailyguardian.com.ph/two-decade-dilemma-phl-classroom-shortage-will-take-20-years-to-resolve/?fbclid=IwY2xjawI2ZbZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHX7JcAuo4xZRGlZzYQ-8rH1fDBHuQHFURQ2Lo3uBUGaW8QSm1AK2sY5vKQ_aem__Y8zel-GxvnhMGZleCsdEA

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
TWO-DECADE DILEMMA: PHL Classroom Shortage Will Take 20 Years to Resolve

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Philippines faces a daunting challenge in its education sector: a severe classroom shortage that, at the current pace,

# data[].attributes.body
ANC 24/7. (2023, August 29). Classroom shortage still a problem as classes begin in public schools across PH | ANC [Video]. YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlJE2R_ihvQ

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Classroom shortage still a problem as classes begin in public schools across PH | ANC

# data[].attributes.body
INQUIRER.net. (2024, December 9). VP Duterte, OVP execs may face plunder raps for secret fund ‘misuse’ | INQToday [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/1qVzCG3cdoM

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
VP Duterte, OVP execs may face plunder raps for secret fund ‘misuse’ | INQToday

# data[].attributes.body
PTV Philippines. (2025, January 29). Private Basic Education Vouchers Assistance Bill, lusot na sa huling pagbasa ng Kamara;[Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPsrw3m3Y9E

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Private Basic Education Vouchers Assistance Bill, lusot na sa huling pagbasa ng Kamara;