TESDA to pursue graft case vs Syjuco, 10 others

MANILA, Philippines - The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will build a strong criminal case against its former head, now Iloilo Rep. Augusto Syjuco Jr., an official said yesterday.

TESDA director general Joel Villanueva said they will closely coordinate with the Office of the Ombudsman to ensure the conviction of Syjuco and 10 others in connection with alleged irregularities in various projects in 2007.

“TESDA has been on the case since it was lodged before the Ombudsman, helping provide the documents and other resources needed to keep a solid case,” Villanueva said.

In a statement released Wednesday, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales ordered the filing of graft charges against Syjuco and 10 others, citing a 2009 Commission on Audit report stating that the training equipment and testing tools delivered by V.G. Roxas Co., Inc. for the TESDA’s ladderized education and development fund projects were of “low quality and overpriced (by as much as) 42,732 percent.”