THE COMMISSION on Higher Education denied allegations of questionable releases of funds by UniFAST in the implementation of scholarship programs.

CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera III said the alleged “questionable releases” have been answered squarely by the agency in its reply to the Commission on Audit while observations requiring action from CHED-UniFAST have been addressed.

“CHED has always been fully transparent and accountable in its implementation of RA 10931 or the UAQTE (Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education). The beneficiaries of UAQTE are the beneficiaries mandated by the law,” De Vera said in a statement.

“No UAQTE funds have been released to students who are not beneficiaries under the law,” he added.

Senator Rissa Hontiveros filed a resolution seeking an investigation into the estimated P7 billion worth of “leakages” flagged by the COA on the implementation of the Universal Assistance System for Tertiary Education Act.

De Vera said they are ready to meet with Hontiveros to clarify her concerns.