MANILA — Malacañang has opened the Presidential Scholars program to greater public scrutiny, urging citizens to report suspected favoritism or abuse in the selection of beneficiaries following questions over the inclusion of a barangay official’s child among the scholars.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said complaints involving possible irregularities should be brought before the proper government agencies for investigation, stressing that the financial assistance is intended for deserving graduating college students struggling to finish their education.
“Kung mayroon man na umaabuso, huwag po silang mag-atubili at huwag matakot na ireklamo po ito sa Liga ng mga Barangay national office at sa DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government). At maaari rin po itong iparating dito sa PCO at sa Office of the President,” Castro said.
The call came after social media reports questioned whether the child of a barangay official should have been included among the beneficiaries of the Presidential Scholars program.
Financed through the Socio-Civic Projects Fund, the program provides ₱20,000 in financial assistance to five graduating college students from each barangay who are at risk of abandoning their studies because of financial difficulties.
Castro said the selection of beneficiaries involves barangay officials and the Sangguniang Barangay education committee, in coordination with the Liga ng mga Barangay national office, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Office of the President.
The Palace said the program was created to help financially struggling but deserving students complete their college education.
Castro said individuals with information about possible abuses may lodge complaints with the Liga ng mga Barangay, DILG, Presidential Communications Office or Office of the President so authorities can determine whether the program’s rules were violated.
Malacañang, however, cautioned against automatically disqualifying or declaring a beneficiary ineligible merely because the student is related to an elected barangay official.
Castro said such a relationship alone does not establish that the beneficiary was improperly selected.
She stressed, however, that allegations of favoritism or misuse of the scholarship program should be reported and investigated to determine whether any violation occurred./PN
