Ombudsman files charges vs Syjuco

Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City. Photo courtesy of DGR Law Offices.

MANILA — Augusto Syjuco Jr. and other officials of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) now face more charges for the “irregular” procurement of P9.25 million worth of career guidance books for school children.

Based on the charges filed by the Office of the Ombudsman, 250,000 copies of the career guidance book titled “Salabat for the Filipino Soul” were procured without public bidding.

COA said that “there was irregular expenditure in the procurement for the printing of Salabat”

It further noted, as cited by the Ombudsman, that Tesda was not able to do “limited source bidding” since the books were not a “highly specialized type of goods.”

Syjuco is now facing charges for violating Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019).

BAC chairman Santiago Yabut Jr., vice chair Clifford Paragua, members Marjorie Docdocil, Brenda Furagganan and Ma. Lourdes Villanueva; procurement and supply division chief Juanito Belda and senior administrative assistant Glynis June Capoquian-Sionosa, as well as Alfredo Ching Jr., Nelson Ching, Rene Rufino and Fahmi Asuncion, of Grand C Graphics were also charged.