MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo Lacson has exposed a possible case of corruption in the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) after he declined an offer of P5-million “allocation fund” from the agency’s proposed 2027 budget.
Speaking over dwIZ yesterday, Lacson vowed to ask the TESDA’s budget sponsor during the plenary debate about the P5 million offer, which was made despite his strong position against pork barrel.
“Perhaps they don’t know me because I really don’t accept lobby money,” Lacson said, recalling a time he rejected an offer of money from a congressman – now deceased – brokering for a franchise applicant.
Lacson said he did not think TESDA’s offer was for scholarship for qualified students, because the staff who reached out to him, whom he identified as “Stephanie,” gave a ballpark figure of the money involved. “It doesn’t make sense if it was for scholarship,” Lacson said.
The senator posted on his X account screenshots of the allocation fund offer, allegedly from TESDA Secretary and Director General Jose Francisco Benitez.
“When TESDA’s proposed 2027 budget comes up for plenary debate, I will seek clarification on the P5-million fund offer made to me through my Senate staff early this week. I declined unequivocally,” Lacson wrote in the tweet.
Lacson said he had considered a sting operation but took pity on “Stephanie” who was only following orders.
It was Lacson who had bared the existence of “allocable” funds in the national budget, such as in the Department of Public Works and Highways, for flood control projects..
In a statement, Benitez denied he had authorized anyone to offer Lacson any allocation.
“We welcome the opportunity to get to the bottom of this matter and fully support efforts to establish the facts,” Benitez said, while thanking Lacson for promptly reporting the alleged anomaly.
Benitez said TESDA routinely communicates with senators during budget season to determine if they have concerns regarding the agency’s programs and budget.
However, he stressed that any improper offer, allocation or solicitation involving TESDA funds, or any unauthorized arrangement involving lawmakers run contrary to the agency’s directives.
“I have ordered an immediate internal investigation to determine the truth, identify those responsible for any unauthorized actions or misrepresentations, and apply appropriate administrative and if warranted, criminal cases,” Benitez said. — Gilbert Bayoran