SENATOR Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson said that impoverished Filipino students must be given a more inclusive and better scholarship programs.

Lacson said that despite legislative measures aimed at promoting free access to higher education, some students who come from poor families rely on scholarship programs provided by their local politicians.

He expressed concerns that under such an arrangement, some deserving students who have no political connections might be left out of these scholarship grants despite meeting all the requirements.

“Because as legislators wala kaming authority to implement projects. But that is, in effect, implementation. Because why would senators and congressmen choose the scholars?” Lacson said.

“Minsan favoritism nga. Sa anak ng mga leaders, doon ibinibigay ang scholarships, nade-deny ‘yung mga qualified,” he added.

If elected as President, Lacson said he will empower the Commission on Higher Education to implement state-funded scholarship programs and distribute financial assistance to all deserving students, free from the control and influence of meddlesome politicians.

Lacson also wants to update the basic education program offered to students in public and private academic institutions by putting high value on good manners and right conduct, digital media literacy, financial literacy and gender development studies.