The Philippine Congress has approved a historic P1.38-trillion education budget for 2026, the largest in the country’s history but concerns about corruption at the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) remain foremost due to recent high profile cases involving its former and current officials.

An Analysis of the Situation:

1. Historic Budget: The P1.38-trillion allocation for 2026 meets the Unesco benchmark for education spending as a share of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the first time in Philippine history, a move aimed at addressing longstanding issues in the education system.

The Past CHEd Leadership: On 21 July 2010, President Benigno S. Aquino III appointed Patricia Licuanan chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education or CHEd. Licuanan appointed Dr. Ricardo E. Rotoras president of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTSP).

What transpired during the incumbency of these two personalities that uglified the image of the CHEd was reported in six of my columns published on 16, 18, and 30 June; 9, 14, and 16 July 2025.

The columns’ introduction: “The very institution established to mold future generations was managed by corrupt officials.”

And conclusion: “The culprit for the downfall was the CHEd! No less than its chairperson, who was supposed to be a paragon of all virtues, was the leader of all woes.”

Recent CHEd Leadership Changes: The penultimate CHEd chairperson, J. Prospero C. de Vera III, resigned in May 2025 and was replaced on 29 May 2025 by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s appointee who assumed office on 9 June 2025.

Ongoing Corruption Issues: The agency has been hit by corruption scandals. In January 2024, the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal of then CHEd commissioner Jo Mark Libre for nepotism and grave misconduct. In March 2024, another commissioner, Aldrin A. Darilag, was preventively suspended; he filed graft charges against then chairperson De Vera who denied the allegations.

Measures and Safeguards:

To address the public concerns and ensure the proper use of the massive education budget, several measures and mechanisms are in place.

1. Congressional Oversight: The bicameral conference committee, particularly through members like Senator Win Gatchalian, has highlighted the detailed breakdown of the education budget for specific items like classroom construction and feeding programs, indicating a focus on measurable outputs that can be more easily monitored.

2. Commission on Audit: The CoA is the primary government agency responsible for auditing government expenditures. Its reports and findings are crucial for identifying the potential misuse of funds.

3. Transparency and Accountability Initiatives: CHEd, under its new chairperson, has publicly condemned corruption and expressed its support for transparency. The agency, along with the Department of Education, faces increased scrutiny and pressure from the public and media to ensure that its funds are used effectively for learning recovery and infrastructure.

Legal Action: The active involvement of the Ombudsman in investigating and dismissing CHEd officials (like commissioner Libre) demonstrates a mechanism for accountability.

Email: arturobesana2@gmail.com