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“Education President” Marcos Jr.: P1.345T Budget, Zero Chalk for Teachers

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Louis ‘Barok’ Biraogo

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“Education President” Marcos Jr.: P1.345T Budget, Zero Chalk for Teachers
Scholarships flow, classrooms crumble — welcome to the great Philippine education mirage 

By Louis ‘Barok‘ C. Biraogo — March 20, 2026

SOMEWHERE in the hallowed halls of Congress, beneath chandeliers that glow with taxpayer-funded optimism, Faustino Dy III has declared a new national truth:

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is now the “Education President.”

And just like that—poof!—decades of crumbling classrooms, underpaid teachers, and graduates who can’t find jobs have been magically solved by… two bills and a press release.

“The Education President (Terms and Conditions Apply)”

🎓 THE GREAT DIPLOMA DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM

Let’s be clear: expanding subsidies under Republic Act No. 10931 is a good thing.

Helping poor students stay in school? Noble. Necessary.

But in true Philippine fashion, we’ve taken a good idea and wrapped it in a political fiesta complete with marching bands, tarpaulins, and a giant banner screaming:

“EDUCATION PRESIDENT NA SIYA!”

Never mind that:

  • Students still share chairs
  • Teachers still buy their own chalk
  • And entire schools still treat Wi-Fi as a mythological creature

🏆 THE SCHOLARSHIP OLYMPICS

Then comes the Presidential Merit Scholarship Program—a glittering arena where the “best and brightest” are rewarded.

Sounds inspiring, right?

Until you realize:

  • The “best” often come from better-funded schools
  • The “brightest” had electricity, internet, and tutors
  • And the “merit” system quietly filters out the kid studying under a flickering kerosene lamp

So congratulations—we are now officially institutionalizing inequality, but with medals.

💸 P1.345 TRILLION AND A DREAM

Ah yes, the crown jewel: a P1.345 trillion education budget.

The largest in history.

Because in the Philippines, when something gets bigger, it must also be better—right?

Right?

Except we’ve seen this movie before:

  • Bigger budgets
  • Bigger promises
  • Bigger press conferences

And somehow… the same old problems graduate with honors.

🎭 THE LEDAC MAGIC TRICK

Through the mystical powers of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council, the Executive and Legislature now move in perfect harmony.

Too perfect.

Like a choir where no one sings off-key—because dissent has been politely escorted out the door.

Bills pass swiftly. Applause follows. Cameras flash.

And somewhere in the background, a quiet question whispers:

“Sino ang magbabantay?”

🧾 THE FINE PRINT NOBODY READS

Here’s the part they don’t put in the press release:

These programs depend on annual funding.

Which means:

  • Today’s “guaranteed subsidy”
  • Can become tomorrow’s “subject to availability of funds”

In other words:

Your education is now brought to you by the same system that occasionally “misplaces” flood control budgets.

🐊 THE POLITICS OF KINDNESS

Let’s not be naive.

Scholarships in this country are not just policy—they are political currency.

Every beneficiary is:

  • A grateful family
  • A future voter
  • A walking testimonial

And every expansion whispers a quiet promise:

“Hindi ka namin pababayaan… basta huwag mo rin kaming pabayaan sa eleksyon.”

⚖️ LEGACY BUILDING, BAROK STYLE

Is Ferdinand Marcos Jr. trying to build a legacy?

Of course.

But here’s the uncomfortable truth:

You don’t become an Education President by:

  • Increasing access alone

You become one by:

  • Fixing quality
  • Ensuring jobs
  • Breaking the cycle of poverty

Otherwise, you’re just producing:

Mas maraming degree holders na naghahanap pa rin ng trabaho.

🔥 THE BAROK BOTTOMLINE

These bills are not the problem.

They are half the solution pretending to be the whole story.

Because while Congress celebrates:

  • Expanded subsidies
  • Institutionalized scholarships
  • Historic budgets

The real exam remains unanswered:

Can this system actually deliver a future where education leads to dignity—not just diplomas?

🎤 FINAL WORD FROM THE KWEBA

In the Philippines, we don’t lack smart students.

We lack a system that:

  • Trains them well
  • Employs them fairly
  • And frees them permanently from poverty

Until then, every new scholarship program risks becoming just another episode in our favorite national series:

“Ang Batang May Diploma… Pero Walang Trabaho.”

Roll credits. 🎬

Key Citations

A. News Articles

B. Official Documents and Websites

Louis ‘Barok‘ C. Biraogo

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