The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), under its current leadership, reaffirmed that it does not tolerate irregularities in the use of public funds and has intensified monitoring of scholarship transactions, including Audit Observation Memorandum (AOMs) issued by the Commission on Audit (COA) before 2025.
CHED clarifies that the ₱941.87 million in scholarship transactions cited in the The Daily Tribune article, “CoA Flags ₱941.87M in CHED Scholarship Irregularities, Citing Fund Mismanagement,” published on October 11, 2026, represents cumulative balances involving transactions dating as far back as 2019 and should be understood within this broader timeline.
The current CHED leadership is undertaking corrective measures to address the outstanding audit observations, including ensuring that the necessary supporting documents are submitted to the COA for review.
CHED emphasizes that audit observations are part of COA’s regular oversight process and should be addressed through proper documentation, compliance with audit requirements, and accountability in the use of public funds.
Regarding the ₱716.19 million cited under the CHED Merit Scholarship Program, the Commission clarifies that only ₱40,000 was identified as an irregular disbursement. This involved a scholar in Region IV-B who failed to maintain the required general weighted average. The amount has since been refunded by Romblon State University.
Region I also submitted updated school IDs and disbursement vouchers covering ₱25.55 million, while CHED-NCR clarified its compliance with the Central Office schedule. Region IV-B also reduced its unliquidated balance from ₱14.16 million to ₱3.71 million.
Liquidation follow-ups continue in Regions IV-B and XII. Of the total CMSP amount cited, ₱676.10 million involved transfers to HEIs with outstanding liquidation requirements, including ₱647.41 million previously reported in the 2024 audit cycle.
Further clarifications
Similarly, under the SIKAP Grant for faculty graduate studies, ₱131.67 million of the ₱134.97 million cited involved incomplete documentation verifying the completion of studies and compliance with return service obligations.
CHED clarifies that missing documents do not, by themselves, establish non-compliance by scholars or constitute irregularities. These cases require further verification and evaluation before any conclusions can be drawn.
CHED Regional Offices III and X have strengthened scholar tracking under CMO No. 9, series of 2025. Document verification continues, while pending termination cases undergo due process, including evaluation, formal notices, and opportunities for appeal.
For the ₱90.71 million cited under the Coconut Scholarship Program, Region V has submitted clarifications regarding terminated grants due to grade disqualifications.
Meanwhile, Region X has ceased charging questioned administrative expenses to Coconut Scholarship Program funds and strengthened its review procedures to ensure compliance with applicable requirements.
As an update on its overall CoScho releases, Region XII reported that ₱74.13 million, or 75.96% of ₱97.58 million, had been liquidated as of August 2026. Remaining actions include Region X’s written explanation on reimbursement of the questioned expenses and liquidation of Region XII’s remaining balance.
CHED has submitted responses, letters seeking settlement, and supporting documents addressing the audit observations across the three scholarship programs. These submissions detail actions already taken and measures being pursued to complete outstanding requirements.
The Commission continues to follow through on remaining corrective actions while awaiting COA’s evaluation and validation. Full compliance and settlement of the audit observations remain subject to COA’s determination.
CHED maintains zero tolerance for fund irregularities and will continue to require concerned offices and institutions to fully account for scholarship funds intended for Filipino learners.
“We welcome the opportunity to provide further clarifications on these matters. We also appeal to media organizations to seek verification and clarification from CHED before publication to ensure that reports are accurate, balanced, and based on the most up-to-date information, so that Filipinos can make informed judgments based on facts and a clearer understanding of the issues.” (PR)
