MANILA — Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) Chairman Prospero “Popoy” De Vera III is once again under scrutiny as another complaint lands on the desk of the Office of the Ombudsman.

The complaint alleges the mishandling of the allocated P10.3 billion higher educational development fund intended for the free tuition and living expenses of government scholars, as mandated by Republic Act (RA) 10931, also known as the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

Ten Menitobong tribal student scholars from South Cotabato have formally lodged the complaint against De Vera, citing accusations ranging from negligence of duty and violation of Republic Act 11032 (Ease of Doing Business) to abuse of power and moral injury to students and educational institutions.

In their four-page joint affidavit-complaint filed on April 15, the student scholars expressed their frustration, stating, “… we strongly assert that the concerned government agencies, specifically the Commission on Higher Education under the chairmanship of Mr. Prospero De Vera III shall be held liable for his utter failure to provide and release to us (student scholars) our living allowances for the period covering SY 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024.”

They lamented the prolonged wait for their living allowances, which has severely impacted their studies and placed financial strain on their families.

Additionally, they called upon President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the leadership of both Houses of Congress to address De Vera’s alleged inaction, despite adequate funding being provided by Congress for government scholars.

The complaint urges the national government and the Philippine Congress to intervene and ensure the implementation of the provisions outlined in RA 10931, particularly the disbursement of the living allowance earmarked for entitled scholar-grantees.

RA 10931 guarantees free tuition and other school fee subsidies, along with a P20,000 living allowance per semester for every student-scholar, emphasizing the importance of equitable access to quality tertiary education.

(el Amigo/MNM)