Syjuco seeks DOJ recon on 2 counts libel indictment
The legal team of Secretary Augusto Boboy Syjuco, Director-General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) is now off to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to appeal two counts of Libel indictment in Bacolod City.
In a Resolution penned Jan. 31, 2008 by the Bacolod City Prosecutors Office, merit was found on the Libel complaints filed by former trusted aide, lawyer Alex Espino. As such, the Order, penned by Assistant City Prosecutor Yvonne Gulmatico-Sioco, was out that elevated BC-IS Nos. 07-973 and 07-1082 to a criminal case in seven-paged Joint Resolution approved by Bacolod City Prosecutor Armando Abanado.
The complaint stemmed from a press statement issued by the Ilonggo Secretary at the height of election campaign last year.
Carried by both Iloilo and Bacolod press, Espino countered by filing the complaints with the statement charging him of extortion. Secretary Syjuco then charged that his money was being used by his dismissed aide to finance the candidacy of his son who was then running for councilor in Bacolod City.
Asked for comment, lawyer Cornelio Panes, counsel for Syjuco confirmed the filing of Motion for Reconsideration before the Justice Department. Such as Panes downplayed the indictment saying the fight is far from over with legal remedies still available.
Meantime, oust-Syjuco moves continue with the Petition still being pursued within the Tesda family of rank and file employees. The Secretary has since been subject of several corruption cases and hounded by complaints of power-abuse. An online Petition was launched with the public's support sought.
Secretary Syjuco in media statements maintained his innocence while saying that his critics are just out to discredit him and his leadership in Tesda.