Ex-TESDA chief declared nuisance presidential bet

MANILA, Philippines - Former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) head Augusto Syjuco Jr. is disqualified from running for president in next year’s elections.

In a resolution dated Dec. 3, the Second Division of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) cancelled Syjuco’s certificate of candidacy (COC) after finding the petition to declare him a nuisance candidate  “meritorious.”

The Comelec Law Department filed the petition with the Second Division, saying Syjuco has “no bona fide intention to run for president.”

Syjuco wrote NA or not applicable in the entry for political party or coalition of political parties in his COC filed on Oct. 12.  

The Comelec division said Syjuco failed to comply with the requirements of Comelec Resolution 9984, which mandates prospective candidates to file a certificate of nomination and acceptance from a political party.  

“Syjuco’s curriculum vitae, awards and citations, albeit impressive, are of little evidentiary value in the absence of supporting documents that will bolster his claims,” it added.

The Comelec division said there was no clear proof of Syjuco’s “financial capability, campaign plan or political machinery to sustain the financial rigors of waging a nationwide campaign.”

“Syjuco has no bona fide intention to run for president and thus prevent a faithful determination of the true will of the electorate,” the resolution stated.  

On Nov. 2, Syjuco manifested he was adopted by the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL). He said he has “personal financial capacity” to launch a presidential campaign.       

He is a known political opponent of Senate President Franklin Drilon, a stalwart of the administration Liberal Party.

Most qualified

Lawyer Vicente Millora said the KBL would appeal the Comelec ruling.

“Syjuco is the most qualified candidate… being a former congressman… with his track record of public service and one of the richest candidates as reflected by his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth,” Millora said.

He said Syjuco’s declared assets of P300 million were higher than that of his rivals.

Comelec ruling

Meanwhile, Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo criticized the Comelec for disqualifying independent presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe. 

Romulo, a senatorial candidate under Poe’s Partido Galing at Puso, said the poll body’s ruling was contrary to that of the Senate Electoral Tribunal.  –With Perseus Echeminada, Jose Rodel Clapano