'Extravagant, outrageous,' union exec says as criminal, admin raps pushed vs. Syjuco
Cover of the controversial Tesda
textbook.
Serious allegation of graft and corruption were pursued against Secretary Augusto "Boboy" Syjuco, Director-General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda). And with an apparent 'word war' escalating as well, Tesda employee Annie Enriquez Geron made good her "threat" of filing criminal and administrative charges before Malacañang's Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC).
In a six-page Complaint-Affidavit, Geron accused Syjuco of what she said was "outrageous theft and plunder" in the coffers of the public treasury in general and the Tesda funds in particular.
Foremost of the complaint touched on the alleged "anomalous transactions" of the P9.1 million book deal saying such was "incredibly completed in just one day without going through the regular processes."
Geron also want Syjuco to answer for what she charged was the purported "use of scarce public funds for Mr. Syjuco's political public relations machinery."
"Under the guise of promoting 'Supermaids' and the Ladderization Program, Mr. Syjuco had already spent no less than P16 million and continue to spend (as if Tesda has unlimited resources) for print and broadcast media, renting and procurement of production equipment," excerpts of the complaint-affidavit went while adding how such "is not only wasteful but morally reprehensible."
Similar sentiments against the hiring of four Tesda consultants each paid P30,000 a month including comebacking Syjuco political adviser Alex Espino. Another consultant was supposedly paid P1 million for the book project.
Further still, Geron questioned what she charged was TESDA services "made exclusive to (2nd District) of Iloilo."
"Nothing but brazen political patronage designed exclusively to help secure the political interests of Mr. Syjuco," Geron stated as she went on to ask, "why will Tagipusuon, a private foundation founded by the Syjucos be the beneficiary of this largesses?," and "whatever happens to the rest of the country's youth, unemployed graduates and high school students?"
Among the programs hit by Geron were the trainings held in Iloilo Second District towns with supposed funding of P8 million and yet another P17 million for English Proficiency Program.
Also included in the complaint was Tesda's regional roadshow caravans, derided by Geron as "robbery in broad daylight right in public face!"
"Every caravan is well-scripted and the elaborate arrangements are all meant to satisfy Syjuco's bloated self-import and his legendary narcissism," the complaint-affidavit continued as it moved to disclose specifics of Syjuco's requests.
From white face towels, to diet sodas, Geron's Tesda sources allegedly revealed other personal perks demanded in the caravans such as portable airconditioners, smart lady escort for his wife, Second District Congresswoman Judy Syjuco, drum beaters with fireworks and balloons. There must also be a motorcade with sirens, crowd to line up the streets and an advance notice of who Secretary Syjuco will kiss, hug and sing with.
The song and dance part is for the ladderization project jingles also hit with the alleged P1.6 million spent.
"One jingle has Mr. Syjuco doing the rap himself. These are contracts awarded without public bidding," Geron added.
Other charges included corporate gifts, airfare of at least P35,640 a month and cellular phone bills of that averages P42,000 monthly.
"If Tesda is run by Mr. Syjuco in these manner, can Tesda be different from a hacienda run by a cacique?," she said.
The PAGC received the complaint-affidavit October 17th.
Secretary Syjuco has since dismissed Geron's charges saying in due time he will prove his detractors wrong and that all that he has done for TESDA will make the nation proud.
In an interview, Syjuco called Geron a terrorist and polluted source who "belongs to the zoo with Iloilo Provincial Administrator Boy Mejorada." Said Tesda Secretary charged that Geron's acts are done in connivance with Mejorada, his former aide turned political foe.
Reached by Bombo Radyo, Syjuco went on to decry media attention given to his accuser while expressing frustration as to why his management decisions are being questioned.