• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez has denied authorizing any offer of a P5-million allocation to Senator Panfilo Lacson, following the lawmaker’s pledge to seek an official explanation from the agency over the incident.
In a statement released Saturday, Oct. 24, Benitez clarified that he did not authorize anyone to extend any funding allocation to the senator.
“We welcome the opportunity to get to the bottom of this matter and fully support efforts to establish the facts,” Benitez said as he expressed gratitude to Lacson for promptly reporting the alleged misrepresentation.
The controversy stemmed from Lacson’s disclosure that an individual identified as “Stephanie” approached his Senate staff earlier in the week offering a P5-million “allocation fund,” which was purportedly extended on behalf of Benitez.
Lacson said he rejected the offer outright.
The senator also published screenshots of the alleged communications on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
While Lacson initially considered setting up an entrapment operation, he ultimately decided against it after considering the individual’s role in merely executing instructions.
Addressing the agency’s protocols, Benitez noted that TESDA routinely communicates with lawmakers during the budget season to address concerns regarding programs and allocations.
However, he emphasized that any improper offer, allocation, or unauthorized arrangement strictly violates agency policies.
“I have ordered an immediate internal investigation to determine the truth, identify those responsible for any unauthorized actions or misrepresentations, and apply appropriate administrative and, if warranted, criminal cases,” Benitez said.
Benitez, a former representative of Negros Occidental’s Third District, reaffirmed TESDA’s commitment to protecting its integrity and maintaining public trust amid the ongoing scrutiny of the proposed 2027 national budget.
Lacson indicated that he will formally seek clarification from the TESDA leadership during the Senate plenary debates on the agency’s proposed 2027 budget scheduled for November. | GPB
