SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian revealed that at least ₱12.30 billion in leakages went to non-poor beneficiaries of the Senior High School Voucher Program (SHS-VP) in 2024.

Based on estimates by the senator’s office, the minimum leakage amounts to 47 percent of the ₱26.31 billion allotted to the SHS-VP for School Year 2024–2025.

Using data from the 2024 Annual Poverty Indicators Survey, Gatchalian’s analysis found that 67 percent of SHS-VP beneficiaries for SY 2024–2025 came from non-poor households.

During the latest Senate hearing, Gatchalian expressed frustration over the Department of Education’s failure to issue new guidelines to plug gaps in the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education, nearly two years after he led an inquiry that uncovered “ghost students” and billions of pesos in leakages.

“Ang gusto namin aksyon, hindi puro pangako. Nagiging volume game na ito ng mga eskuwelahan. For profit na ngayon ang senior high school—padamihan ng estudyante, tapos kayo ang sisingilin,” Gatchalian told a DepEd representative, describing what he said appears to be a new modus.

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance said the new guidelines should prioritize the poorest learners, address leakages, ensure quality assurance, and result in the decongestion of public schools.