School execs, teachers warned vs illegal graduation payments

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has issued stern warnings against public school officials who will illegally collect fees from this year’s graduating students.

Working in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the anti-graft agency said principals and teachers who will violate the no collection policy run the risk of facing both criminal and administrative charges.

Lawyer Cezar Tirol of the Bureau of Resident Ombudsmen (BRO), said those who will illegally collect money from students in exchange for graduating or participating in graduation exercises will be slapped with grave misconduct which is punishable with dismissal from the service.

“We can also charge them criminally for bribery,” he said during the Office of the Ombudsman’s radio program Magsumbong sa Ombudsman aired over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, referring to those who will actually ask for bribes.

“Any kind of payment,” DepEd Assistant Secretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs Tonisio Umali said when asked what school officials and teachers are particularly barred from collecting.