Deped's "anomalous" P17 million project: Proposed probe gains more support

CEBU, Philippines - The proposed Congressional inquiry into alleged irregularities in the bidding of a P17 million project by the Department of Education-Cebu province has gained support from another member of the House of Representatives.

Muntinlupa City Rep. Rozzano Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon strongly expressed his support to the move, saying that if the resolution pushing for the inquiry will not be acted upon before the end of the present Congress, the people behind the irregularity might continue their activities.

Biazon, son of Senator Rodolfo Biazon, disclosed that such irregularities do not only happen in Cebu but also in neighboring provinces like Bohol and other parts of Visayas and Mindanao.

The legislator, who was in Cebu recently for a speaking engagement, has openly admitted his plan to seek a senatorial post in next year’s elections. He said education will be one of his priorities once he got elected in the Senate.

Biazon claimed he was informed by Akbayan Partylist Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, who filed House Resolution No. 1214 asking the House Committee on Good Government, Basic Education, and other appropriate committees to conduct an inquiry into the Cebu DepEd’s alleged anomalous bidding, about the impending fact-finding activity.

He emphasized the need to look into the alleged irregularity and the persons involved in it. Likewise, he promised to look into the complaints raised by more than 10 contractors of school furniture.

The Department of Education Contractors Alliance wants an amendment introduced in the Procurement Law. They suggested that the one percent protest fee must be abolished and a new provision to protect the rights of honest bidders and contractors must be introduced.

The FREEMAN expose on the allegations that there were anomalies in the bidding of a project that involved the supply of school chairs, desks and teachers tables has prompted Baraquel to file a resolution seeking for an inquiry into the matter.

It has been alleged that the items delivered to the schools were substandard and that a favored contractor was awarded the contract even if it did not submit the lowest bid.

The inquiry called by Rep. Baraquel will focus on the abuse of discretion committed by DepEd Bids and Awards Committee in the procurement of P17 million worth of desks and arm chairs.

In a press conference yesterday, Ernie Edralin, one of the staff of Baraquel, released the names of the members of the BAC-Cebu Province, who will be asked to face the congressional inquiry.

They are Judiana Corriente, the chairperson, and members Romualdo Abella, Daria Sarsalejo, Norberto Torbeso and Willie Adonay.

In her resolution seeking for the inquiry, Baraquel said that one of the principles of government is that there should be competitiveness in the procurement process to be guaranteed by extending equal opportunity to eligible and qualified private contracting parties participating in public bidding. — Jose P. Sollano/WAB   (FREEMAN NEWS)