MANILA, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday approved the filing of a criminal case against former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) chief Augusto Syjuco for diverting government funds to his own non-government organization (NGO).
Augusto Syjuco Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Aside from Syjuco, also facing a case for violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices are former Iloilo Congresswoman Judy Syjuco, former Tesda Deputy Director General for Field Operations Santiago Yabut Jr. and Maria Nela Yniesto, President of Tagipusuon Cooperative.
The case will be filed before the Sandiganbayan.
The case stemmed from the disbursement and use of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of Congresswoman Syjuco worth P20 million which was coursed through Tesda and released to and implemented by the cooperative.
Investigation by the Ombudsman showed that P15 million was used to purchase school uniforms, notebooks, school bags and supplies for public elementary and high school students of Iloilo’s 2nd district.
Originally, the fund was for Tesda’s Invigorating Constituent Assistance in Reinforcing Employment or I-CARE program. However, a memorandum of agreement was entered into by the Syjucos with Yabut and Yniesta in 2005 indicating that the lawmaker’s project has a tie-up with Tesda.
“The Tesda funds, which were originally appropriated by law for the conduct of job-related skills training programs, were applied differently from their purpose,” the resolution signed by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said.
Also, the Ombudsman said the cooperative used P916,000 of the funds as payment for salaries and wages of the members/employees and P546,181.16 for administrative costs to cover office rentals, hotel expenses etc. which is prohibited under the National Budget Circular No. 476.
The Ombudsman also forwarded the resolution to the Anti-Money Laundering Council for possible violations of the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
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