DIRECT HIT Itchie G. Cabayan July 27, 2014 TESDA’S VILLANUEVA HAS ARRIVED I bet those who have been moving heaven and earth to forcibly link former Congressman and currently, chief of the state-run Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Joel Villanueva cringed in their seats while listening to the speech of President Benigno S. Aquino III during the recent commemoration of national hero Apolinario Mabini’s 150th birth anniversary held in Tanauan, Batangas. Before that event, which was also led by the city’s able mayor Antonio Halili, certain `unseen hands’ have been obviously manipulating the controversial pork barrel scam issue by attempting to link to the anomaly PNoy’s most trusted men, obviously in the hope of tarnishing the image of the President and put to naught all the good deeds of the present administration. Unfortunately for Villanueva, he became one of the targets. First, there were attempts linking him to one of the bogus Janet Lim-Napoles non-government organizations. There were even text messages that went around, saying Villanueva will be used as the government’s `sacrificial lamb’ to quench the thirst of certain sectors who want to see one of the President’s men fall out of grace, charged and also arrested for plunder. The attempt though, fell flatly on the face of the accusers when no less than the National Bureau of Investigation found that the alleged documents pertaining to the alleged transaction contained forged signatures. This finding was upheld by Justice Sec. Leila de Lima. Quickly, this was followed up by allegations that TESDA had “ghost scholars” that were supported with the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) funds released to the agency in 2011. In his speech, however, PNoy, in pointing out how DAP helped significantly in bringing the needed services to the people the quickest and most effective way possible, made special mention of how DAP was put in utmost good use, citing TESDA as an example. Citing statistics, he stressed that P1.6 billion had been allotted to the agency and was used to train a total of 223,615 graduates. This means that the government spent P7,155 pesos, on average, for each of its students. Of the amount used, 66 percent of the TESDA graduates or an equivalent of 146,731 former unemployed Filipinos now have jobs. The remaining 34 percent is now being assisted by TESDA in seeking employment either here or abroad. The names of the graduates, including their addresses and contact numbers, have been listed down and may be visited by anyone, the President said. Well in fairness, for those who have followed Villanueva’s track record in public service, it is clear that he has consistently demonstrated his advocacy to fight all forms of corruption and social ills and to fight for what is right and what is good for the country. The CIBAC partylist, then under the representation of Villanueva in Congress, has also been consistent when it came to the proper and legitimate utilization of the CIBAC’s PDAF. While maintaining that he never participated or benefitted from the scam allegedly perpetuated by Napoles, Villanueva has categorically stated that he does not know Napoles and never met her or any of the so-called whistleblowers. By the way, Napoles and the whistleblowers themselves have never said that they either know or have ever met with Villanueva. Too, none of them ever said that Villanueva either asked for or receive any kickback from any of them. Add to this the fact that all projects of CIBAC using PDAF funds have been fully implemented and duly liquidated by COA. Well, looking at the bright side, Villanueva should feel flattered for being the object of such a smear campaign. If you are doing badly and your performance is not helping the administration make its presence felt for various sectors, no one would bother to scheme against you. Clearly, Villanueva has arrived…
Posted on: Sun, 27 Jul 2014 16:47:16 +0000