GMA might face graft charges over TESDA scholarship plan

MANILA, Philippines - Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo may face graft charges involving a highly irregular scholarship program.

Joel Villanueva, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) director-general, said they are now looking into the possible link of Arroyo to the questionable P800-million scholarship program implemented under the leadership of Augusto Syjuco.

“We have officially filed charges against Syjuco before the Office of the Ombudsman last October, and it appeared that he acted under the assurance of then President Arroyo on the fund release that eventually resulted to unbooked commitment,” he said.

“We are still waiting for the Ombudsman’s findings on the P800-million scholarship fund case, and we are willing to work with COA (Commission on Audit) on their future audit of funds used by the previous administration,” he said.

Villanueva said TESDA conducted its own investigation and has referred the matter to the Office of the Ombudsman last November for further fact finding and investigation and possible filing of graft charges against Syjuco.

Results of the investigation were consistent with COA findings on the illegal transfer of TESDA funds to non-government organizations during the previous administration, he added.

COA said Syjuco should not have allowed the transfer of over P58 million in 2005 and 2008 to the Tagipusuon Cooperative (P20 million) and to the Tagipusuon Foundation (P38.12 million) for purchase of school materials because this is not TESDA’s mandate.

Based on the TESDA probe, cash advances made under Syjuco remained unliquidated and that he used funds for programs that are not among TESDA programs, Villanueva said.

“Our own findings also found certain deficiencies in the fund transfer and breach in the agency’s mandate,” he said.

Villanueva said the fund came from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of then Iloilo Rep. Judy Syjuco, wife of Syjuco, which was released to TESDA-Region VI and later transferred to Tagipusuon Foundation Inc., which runs the cooperative.

“Providing the elementary/ high school students with free uniforms, school bags and other school supplies through the Expanded Education for All Program is not among TESDA’s scholarship programs, considering its mission is towards quality technical education and skills development,” he said.

OWWA funds

Meanwhile, a group of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) said the Department of Justice (DOJ) should have found probable cause in the illegal transfer of OWWA funds and filed a plunder case against Arroyo instead of just malversation of funds.

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said malversation is a lesser offense compared to plunder, which is punishable by life imprisonment and perpetual disqualification to hold any public office.

It was alleged that PhilHealth cards were distributed free in Pampanga, Arroyo’s political bailiwick, and other provinces during 2004 political sorties to woo voters.

Monterona said there was also the $150,000 illegal transfer of OWWA funds supposedly to be used for the evacuation of OFWs from war-torn Lebanon when Ambassador Al Francis Bichara claimed that he had not received a single cent from the OWWA.

“The Aquino government should have asked an explanation from the DOJ why a lesser offense of malversation is recommended instead of plunder,” he said.– With Rainier Allan Ronda