In the media

The Department of Education (DepEd) of the Philippines has partnered with Open Ownership to strengthen transparency and integrity in education procurement. DepEd manages the country’s largest education budget, making procurement a high-risk area for corruption. The initiative pilots the use of beneficial ownership data to identify hidden conflicts of interest, bid rotation, market concentration and undisclosed links among suppliers. The agreement includes technical assistance and contract analysis to reduce irregularities and aligns with the New Government Procurement Act.

Education authorities in the Philippines have signed a Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) to take action against “diploma mills”. The establishment of the JMC is a direct response to the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), which found an alarming level of unaccredited and substandard programs in higher education, especially in teacher education. The JMC addresses this until 2029 by establishing, among others, an Online National Registry (ONR) and a Quality Assurance Harmonization Committee to create transparency over accredited programs.

The Philippine Department of Education launched the Paaralang Bukas Dashboard, an open data portal providing public access to school-level information on performance, resources, and needs. Designed to enhance transparency and accountability, the initiative empowers parents, teachers, and local governments to monitor education investments and outcomes.

A teachers’ group urged the Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines to investigate an alleged “item-for-sale” scheme where public school teaching posts are reportedly sold for cash. The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition condemned the practice, calling it a matter of justice and fairness, and pledged cooperation with DepEd to expose and eliminate corruption in the teacher hiring process.

The Philippine Department of Education has introduced a confidential reporting platform for schools and the public to flag illegal or corrupt activities in procurement processes. This initiative follows audits that raised concerns about past procurement practices and supply contracts. The platform aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the Department’s activities.