Senators question appointment of excess deputies in TESDA

Senators on Tuesday questioned the appointment of deputy director generals at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) beyond the number allowed by the law.

During the plenary debate on the TESDA’s 2023 proposed budget, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said he was able to confirm that the agency has four deputy director generals.  

Republic Act No. 7769, the law which created TESDA, states that only two deputies to the director general may hold position.

“Do we need additional deputy generals? I have nothing against the appointment of anyone…I’m just concerned about what particular job we are trying to create right now,” said Villanueva.

Asked if TESDA director general Danilo Cruz and Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma were aware of the situation, both officials answered on the negative.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri supported Villanueva and asked if the decision was legal.

“Is it legal that we appoint more than what the law offers?… Do you think it’s legal to appoint an additional director-general to the post when the law does not allow it?” he said.

The Senate temporarily suspended the rules to allow Cruz to directly respond to their queries.

"TESDA Act of 1994 provided for the plantilla position of two deputy director-generals but during the last administration, this was increased to four deputy director-generals. So when we assumed the position a few months ago, we submitted the application for four deputy director-generals," Cruz explained.

“This is happening to a lot of government institutions. A plantilla position by an appointing power will appoint additional [officials],” he said.

But Zubiri said it would remain violative of the law.

“Again, you came up with two new items without amending the law. Therefore, you are in violation of the law,” Zubiri said.

“I have no idea who the deputy director-generals are. I’m just a stickler for rules because what will prevent a fifth, sixth, seventh, and an eighth if we do not follow the charter of TESDA?” he said.

Meanwhile, Villanueva said he previously raised the same issue during the Senate budget deliberations in 2016.—LDF, GMA Integrated News