Syjuco denies anomalous TESDA transactions

MANILA -- Augusto Syjuco, former director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), denies any hand in anomalous transactions. Syjuco was singled out in the President's State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday for overpriced purchases allegedly made by TESDA. Among these items were incubator jars worth more than P15,000 each and dough cutters worth P48,000 each. But Syjuco said those transactions did not push through, adding that he was the one who ordered an investigation into the contract. He believes the allegations against him are politically motivated because he served under the Arroyo administration. He said government should instead go after 14 TESDA employees who were directly involved in the transaction. ANC Dateline Philippines, July 24, 2013