Senator Raffy Tulfo has issued a stern warning against abuses in the government’s e-GASTPE (Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education) program, stressing that while he supports its intent to decongest public schools, he will not tolerate its misuse for corruption or patronage politics.

MANILA, Philippines — January 21, 2026 — During a Senate budget hearing on the Department of Education (DepEd), Tulfo reiterated his long-standing criticisms of the e-GASTPE voucher program, which provides financial assistance to students enrolling in private schools. He emphasized that his opposition is not to the program itself but to the irregularities in its implementation. 

“It is not because I’m against it. In fact, I support the wisdom behind the program and understand how it could address the congestion in our public school system… Maganda sana siya, pero hindi niya nagagawa ang layunin niya dahil sa mga kalokohan ng iba,” Tulfo said.

The senator cited reports of private institutions allegedly exploiting the program by setting up schools solely to access government vouchers, as well as cases where students were unable to receive their vouchers and had their school documents withheld. 

“May pumunta po sa akin na may estudyante. Dahil hindi na ibigay ang kanilang voucher. Therefore, what the school did was to hold their papers. So therefore, hindi sila makapag-enroll ulit, kumbaga na-hostage yung kanilang mga school documents because of that voucher program,” Tulfo revealed, adding that DepEd attributed the issue to billing problems.

Tulfo also raised concerns about the program’s accessibility for the poorest families, noting that while tuition may be covered, miscellaneous fees, projects, and other expenses in private schools remain unaffordable. “Paano naman yung mga estudyante coming from the poorest of the poor?… They might not have the capability and sustainability to stay private, kasi ang alam ko, this is not a full scholarship program,” he said.

For the 2026 national budget, the government has allocated ₱41.18 billion for e-GASTPE. Tulfo said he supports institutionalizing the program into law but only under strict conditions. “I want transparency in all the steps of this voucher program. All stakeholders should be aware… There must be a record where this money will go and how beneficiaries and private schools are selected. There must be auditing done,” he stressed.

The senator also called attention to “last mile schools” in far-flung areas that continue to struggle with poor internet connectivity and inadequate facilities, saying they deserve more support. He criticized DepEd for failing to properly vet private schools participating in the voucher program, warning that some officials may be complicit in allowing anomalies to persist. 

“So may mga kasabot na DepEd… Can we get their names? At gusto ko malaman kung nasaan ang kaso nila. Baka mamaya eh mawala lang. Ma-dismiss itong mga kaso dahil malakas kayong mga consipilato,” Tulfo said, demanding updates on pending criminal cases against erring officials.

Tulfo’s remarks underscore the urgency of reforming the e-GASTPE program to ensure that billions in public funds are used to genuinely expand access to quality education, rather than being lost to corruption and inefficiency.

Good Program, Bad Gatekeeping

The e-GASTPE voucher program makes sense. It eases overcrowded public schools and gives families options. On paper, it spreads opportunity and decongests classrooms. That intent deserves support, as Raffy Tulfo himself acknowledges.

But weak gatekeeping twists purpose into profit. Poor vetting lets fly-by-night schools harvest vouchers, while students get trapped by withheld documents and unpaid claims. Billions move, oversight lags, and the poorest still cannot shoulder hidden fees. A smart policy becomes a cash pipeline when controls fail.

Reform is the line between help and harm. Will government fix the gates, or keep funding abuse while calling it access?