Call for Enhanced Oversight in Education Sector Amid Corruption and Inefficient Spending

Strategic Insights -

Rep. Chel Diokno has called for the creation of a deputy ombudsman specifically focused on addressing corruption in education and social services. Diokno expressed concerns over weak oversight and inefficient spending on key programs, such as the procurement and delivery of learning materials. The call comes as the Department of Education (DepEd) seeks the largest budget in its history, over P900 billion for 2026. Education Secretary Sonny Angara has outlined sweeping reforms to fix procurement delays and improve delivery of textbooks and meals to schools.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Department of Education is seeking a record-breaking budget of over P900 billion for 2026, with at least P13.8 billion allocated for procuring ICT packages and laptops for teachers.
  • Rep. Chel Diokno has proposed the creation of a deputy ombudsman to address corruption in education and social services, citing weak oversight and inefficient spending on key programs.
  • Education Secretary Sonny Angara has outlined reforms to streamline textbook acquisition and improve delivery, including decentralizing purchasing authority and widening the selection of pre-accredited textbook titles.
  • Angara acknowledged the department's past inefficiencies, including a 11% textbook disbursement rate in 2023 and 17% in 2024, and a 48% school-based feeding program disbursement rate in 2024.
  • The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered graft and falsification charges against former Education Secretary Leonor Briones and 13 other officials over the P2.4-billion procurement of overpriced laptops during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Multiple agencies, including the Commission on Audit, the Ombudsman, and EDCOM 2, currently oversee DepEd, but Rep. Diokno suggests a dedicated watchdog is needed to address specific concerns.

Statistics:

  • Eligible textbook disbursement rate in 2023: 11%
  • Eligible textbook disbursement rate in 2024: 17%
  • School-based feeding program disbursement rate in 2024: 48%
  • P2.4 billion: the budget allocated for procuring overpriced laptops during the pandemic
  • P979 million: the amount of "undue injury" suffered by the government due to the laptop procurement scandal
  • P928 billion: the overall budget requested by DepEd and its attached agencies for 2026
  • P13.8 billion: the allocation for procuring ICT packages and other materials for classroom connectivity, including laptops for teachers in 2026
  • P9.3 billion: the amount allocated for laptops for teachers in 2026

Sources:

  • "Manila -- With the Department of Education seeking the largest budget in its history - over P900 billion for 2026 - Rep. Chel Diokno (Akbayan Partylist) on Wednesday, September 3, urged the creation of a deputy ombudsman that will focus solely on complaints of corruption in education and social services." (Manila Times)
  • "Angara outlines DepEd reforms to fix procurement delays, improve delivery of textbooks and meals" (Manila Times)
  • "Former DepEd secretary, 13 others face graft raps over overpriced laptops" (Inquirer)
  • "DepEd seeks P928 billion budget for 2026" (Manila Times)