TESDA chief to quit soon

CEBU, Philippines - Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director general Joel Villanueva is set to quit from his government post soon as he expressed his desire to seek an elective position in the coming elections.

Villanueva, who was in Cebu yesterday, appeared in a press conference which, he said, would be his last as TESDA chief.

 “Hindi po natin tinatago ang interest natin sa 2016 election. Sabi pa ni Presidente Aquino, we are not in the last two minutes but in dying seconds. So, sa ngayon, bigay todo lahat ng serbisyo,” said Villanueva.

Villanueva, who has been the TESDA chief for five years, said that he has nothing to be ashamed of in his desire to run for senator as he has performance to show and has no unfinished business.

“For the last five years meron po akong performance as TESDA chief. Wala po akong unfinished business. Nagawa ko po ng maayos ang trabaho ko.  Hindi naman po na shortage ang mga kababayan natin,” said Villanueva.

Villanueva added that he has spoken with President Aquino several times about his political plans

 “Gusto ko po siyang pasalamatan sa lahat ng tinulong niya sa TESDA at sa akin for five years. When I make that decision (to run), we will have to talk again,” Villanueva said.

   However, Villanueva hinted that he may not be running under the Liberal Party.

   “I will stand by my word that if I really make that decision for 2016, I am not ready to join someone in the slate who thinks I am a criminal,” said Villanueva referring to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

 De Lima is also touted to be one of the senatorial bets of LP.

 Villanueva described his relationship with de Lima as “basag” or broken.

 The Department of Justice earlier filed a criminal complaint against Villanueva before the Office of the Ombudsman for his alleged involvement in the Priority Development Assistance Fund scam.

“Hanggang ngayon wala pong kaso ang na file laban sa akin. Complaint pa lang sa Ombudsman. According to NBI, na under sa DOJ, none of the 21 documents are authentic. Lahat po peke. Ewan ko kung ano ang nag-udyok sa DOJ na pilit talaga isinama ang pangalan ko,” said Villanueva.

 Villanueva, a former representative of the Citizens Battle Against Corruption during the 12th, 13th, and 14th Congress, said that he is open to all political parties.

  “ I am open to all political parties. Naka-usap ko na si Grace   Poe,  Senator Chiz Escudero, Mayor Duterte, Vice President Binay at alam ni Presidente ito,” said Villanueva.

Villanueva is the son of evangelist Eddie Villanueva of the Jesus is Lord Movement. His father ran for president in 2010 and for senator in 2013 but lost. — (FREEMAN)