The administration’s decision to reduce the budget of state colleges and universities (SCU) for 2011 is tantamount to abandoning its duty to provide the youth with affordable and quality education, a party-list representative said Friday.

The Sandiganbayan has convicted a former official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of malversation of public funds for misappropriating P44.532 million worth of environmental fees and other forest charges.

Malacañang has opted to jack up the amount of government subsidy for government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) in the proposed 2011 national budget despite the allegedly excessive bonuses and allowances their officials were already enjoying.

Pag-Ibig, the state-run home Development Mutual Fund, is set to file charges against land developer Globe Asiatique Realty Holdings Corp. for alleged fraudulent use of the agency’s housing loans.