TESDA chief admits spending P28 million for infomercials

MANILA, Philippines - Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) director general Augusto “Buboy” Syjuco yesterday admitted spending a total of P28 million for infomercials.

Syjuco, said the TESDA infomercials were funded by the government and they would voluntarily pull out the advertisements by Sept. 1.

Syjuco said TESDA paid P6 million from the P28-million budget to popular singer Sarah Geronimo as talent fee for the 12 infomercials.

He said Geronimo already received full payment, but has only done three of the 12 commercials for TESDA’s advocacy program.

“Since we are stopping all controversial infomercials, we will discuss with her (Geronimo) how the rest of the payment can be consumed,” Syjuco said.

Syjuco added TESDA also paid P5 million to each of the country’s television networks for airing the commercials.

“Our infomercials were all worth it, but even if the amount is justifiable, we will have to stop it to satisfy our senators and stop the controversy,” he said.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago initiated a congressional investigation on the infomercials by Cabinet officials who are perceived to be running in next year’s elections.

Santiago maintained her purpose of investigating the issue in the Senate is to make sure that public funds that financed the airing of infomercials are devoted to public purposes, not just to glorify the government official.

Santiago also urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate the officials on suspicions of using government funds to boost their political chances in the 2010 elections.

Lawyer Ernesto Francisco even succeeded in securing a restraining order from the Manila court against Health Secretary Francisco Duque III in airing the infomercials.

Francisco said yesterday he would include Syjuco in his petition against infomercials.

Francisco said he would file a criminal and administrative complaint against Syjuco before the Office of the Ombudsman.

“This is a (serious) matter. Syjuco is abusing his discretion of government funds. I think he should be charged,” he said.

Francisco also said he plans to come out with a supplemental complaint to include other Cabinet officials in his petition.

Francisco said the officials he would include are Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay.

Francisco earlier filed the petition against Syjuco, Vice President De Castro, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., Education Secretary Jesli Lapus; Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) chairman Efraim Genuino, Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman, and Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, in representing President Arroyo.

Francisco filed a petition asking the Manila regional trial court to order the government to stop using public funds to finance advertisements of government officials that are only perceived to be promoting themselves ahead of elections next year.

Syjuco, on the other hand, said he has no intention of running in any elective post next year. – With Sandy Araneta