TESDA chief says Arroyo need not lose faith in him
MANILA, Philippines — The chief of the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) is standing his ground amid corruption charges, saying the President has no reason to lose confidence in him.
At the same time, TESDA Director General Augusto Syjuco dismissed as a “nuisance” the case filed against him before the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC), saying it was lodged by a “disgruntled” labor leader.
“I think the PAGC has the obligation to act with full dispatch because I don’t see any reason why the President will lose confidence in me,” Syjuco told reporters on the sideline of a Cabinet meeting in Malacañang.
“I have been doing a good job. I have been delivering my share. Frankly, I don’t know of anyone who can do a very good job with TESDA today than I am because of my experience [for] the last three years,” he said.
The PAGC is investigating allegations he used P9.2 million in TESDA funds to publish without public bidding a book he authored.
View article as posted on INQUIRER.net
Syjuco is worst person for the job – TESDA workers
Amidst the continuing corruption controversy involving Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Augusto Syjuco, officials and workers of TESDA all over the country are rejoicing over his conviction.
Syjuco along with five members of the TESDA Bids and Awards Committee (TESDA-BAC) were all found guilty of grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty by the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) for their participation in a P 9.2 Million anomalous transaction involving the printing of a book entitled Salabat for the Filipino Soul two years ago which went on without public bidding. Malacañang has upheld the PAGC ruling and ordered the dismissal from government service of the TESDA-BAC members. Meanwhile it had elevated the resolution on Syjuco’s case to the Committee of Peers because of his cabinet rank.
Despite the criticisms against him, Syjuco has doggedly fended them off dismissing his critics as mere “nuisance” that prevents him from doing his job in TESDA.
The sentiments of his constituents though echo the growing call for Syjuco to be booted out of his office.
Workers in TESDA’s central and regional offices view the latest decision from Malacañang as “positive and promising.” Both the registered employee unions in TESDA, the Samahang Malaya at Nagkakaisang Kawani ng TESDA (SAMAKA-TESDA) and the TESDA Association of Concerned Employees (TESDA-ACE) eagerly await the verdict of the Committee of Peers as they urge the cabinet team to “prosecute Syjuco to the fullest extent of the law.”
“The PAGC has done a very good job in indicting Syjuco,” said Annie Enriquez-Geron, President of SAMAKA-TESDA, the union responsible for pursuing the corruption charges against Syjuco. “His fate now rests on the Committee of Peers and we are calling on them to side with the workers, not with Syjuco. Give him what he deserves,” Enriquez-Geron added.
Upon the release of the Palace decision, Syjuco has filed a motion for reconsideration before the PAGC and has requested the latter to act on his case with “all due speed and dispatch.”
Enriquez-Geron has urged the PAGC to heed the call of Syjuco. She denied that the case was affecting his ability to govern and that he was the best man for the job as Syjuco claims.
“For the past three years, he has only brought shame to TESDA. This is because he has merely used the agency as a tool to further his political and vested interests,” says Enriquez-Geron. “This is evident on how the budget of TESDA is concentrated in District 2 of Iloilo where he served as former Congressman and how he spends excessively on publicity stints meant to raise his profile and please GMA,” she explained.
Luz Galang, past president of TESDA-ACE, supports Enriquez-Geron’s assertion. “He is the worst person ever appointed as Director-General of TESDA. Not only is he known for his corruption and excessive spending, workers in TESDA also know him to be a union-buster. Workers live in fear because of his vindictiveness,” said Luz Galang, who got transferred from the central office to a district office for supporting the corruption charges against Syjuco.
Condrado Maraan, Jr., founder and first president of TESDA-ACE, echo the workers sentiments. “Whatever Syjuco has been spreading around regarding how he enjoys the support of the employees in TESDA is false. In fact, rank and file employees of TESDA nationwide are rejoicing over the outcome of the decision by the PAGC. He is just trying to make an impression that he is supported by the workers but he is not,” said Maraan who suffered the same fate of his colleague Galang when he signed the corruption complaint against Syjuco. He was immediately transferred from TESDA’s Headquarters in Taguig to its regional office in Abra.
On the bid to scrap TESDA following the “Syjuco scandal,” Enriquez-Geron defended the institution and argued that abolishing it will not do the public good.
“Our legislators should banish Syjuco, not TESDA. The whole agency does not deserve to bear one man’s failings,” she added.
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Jillian Roque
ThuUTC2008-01-17T00:43:24+00:00UTC01bUTCThu, 17 Jan 2008 00:43:24 +0000 22, 2006 at 12:45 am01
I agree: Syjuco is the worst person for the job as TESDA chief. The man has no conscience. He stole money intended for vocational training of Filipino youth by funneling the funds to his personal foundations and cooperatives. He used TESDA funds to bankroll his political activities. If the President is serious about fighting corruption, she can send a strong message by kicking out Syjuco as TESDA chief.
It would not be fair to scuttle the ship just because of the wrongdoings of the captain. The best way to save TESDA is to throw the captain overboard and feed him to the sharks.
Boy Mejorada
SatUTC2008-01-26T01:45:12+00:00UTC01bUTCSat, 26 Jan 2008 01:45:12 +0000 22, 2006 at 12:45 am01
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Heartburn Home Remedy
WedUTC2009-04-15T12:56:48+00:00UTC04bUTCWed, 15 Apr 2009 12:56:48 +0000 22, 2006 at 12:45 pm04