Overpriced Equipment at TESDA; Mother of All Greed

I was dismayed at the news report, aired by abs-cbn, that TESDA purchased overpriced equipments. Overpricing in government biddings and transactions are not new to us but padding the price for more than 32,000 percent is too much.

A baking equipment which is worth P900 was purchased for more than P34,000. There are also some feedback that the equipments were substandard. This is another example of plain and simple corruption done by people close to the President. I still don't believe that the current government is really working to fight graft and corruption.

This issue in TESDA is not the first one under the supervision of Secretary Syjuco. It was also reported that the books published by Secretary Syjuco is overpriced but he was absolve in the case. The infomercial which is too expensive is also being questioned.

If this department is tainted with corruption under Secretary Syjuco, how can we say that he will be more effective as a senator of the republic. There are rumors that he will run as a senator this coming 2010 elections.

The anti-graft body should act fast on this. But maybe they will clear the agency and the people behind it. Political affiliation is still so powerful that if you are close to the leader, you are likely to be free from scrutiny and real investigations.

TESDA should be helping the poor, educate the youth and train them to be productive citizen of the country. If the budget were being used to enrich some people and to satisfy their greed, Filipinos should be asking the President, what are you doing?