Councilor Elgin Damasco revealed the discovery of another school allegedly offering “master’s and doctorate degrees” to teachers in Palawan without authorization from the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
The school, identified as D’ Illumina College in Calamba City, Laguna, has reportedly been closed since 2019 based on DepEd Memorandum ASD-2024-076 signed by Regional Director Nicolas Capulong on August 30, 2024.
The memorandum stated that CHED never granted authority to the school to offer graduate programs.
However, Damasco said it continues to operate in Palawan, prompting him to gather evidence before releasing the names of those involved.
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“Same modus [SPACI], ₱60,000 to ₱80,000 din [hinihingi sa mga guro]. Ilalabas ko ang mga pangalan one of these days… hindi pa ngayon kasi patuloy pa ang aking pangangalap ng ebidensya. Mahirap maglabas ng wala pa akong ebidensya pero may mga pangalan na ako,” Damasco said in an interview with Palawan News.
He clarified that this group is different from those linked to the Southern Philippines Academy College Incorporated (SPACI), which was earlier accused of similar activities.
“Since 2023 pa ‘yan sila at tuluy-tuloy at gumagamit na naman ng ibang pangalan ng school. Pero since 2018 o 2019 ay closed na ang school based doon sa memorandum ni Director Capulong,” he added.
Damasco also thanked Director Capulong for releasing the advisory that aims to protect teachers from being victimized. He further urged DepEd to issue a similar advisory against SPACI, which is allegedly being used by Dr. Forma Gonzales.
He added that CHED Commissioner Mae Fernandez Legazpi herself confirmed to the Committee on Education of the Puerto Princesa City Council that CHED has not issued any authorization for SPACI to offer master’s and doctorate degree programs in Puerto Princesa and Palawan.
