WB disputes textbook fraud claim

A World Bank (WB) official has disputed the claims of Sen. Panfilo Lacson and a lawyer linked with the political opposition that there was fraud in the multibillion contract for the publication of textbooks and manuals for the Department of Education (DepEd).

In a two-page letter to The STAR, Joachim von Amsberg, World Bank country director for the Philippines, East Asia and the Pacific Region, said the contract was awarded to Vibal Group of Bidders in accordance with applicable guidelines for procurement under World Bank financing and with the provisions of the legal agreement for the WB-assisted Second Social Expenditure Management Project.

"Since the government implemented textbook procurement reform, with fair, open and transparent competition, there has been a substantial increase in the number of legitimate bidders," read the letter.

"The increase in bidders has made it difficult for bidders to collude. The World Bank treats cases of allegations or signs of fraud or corruption in projects it financed as a very serious issue. It reviews and, as needed, investigates such cases, and uses the appropriate sanctions as agreed under the respective loan agreements."

Under this particular project, the government has achieved a savings of around 50 percent in the prices paid for textbooks since the procurement reforms supported by the SEMP-2 Project were implemented in the DepEd, he added.

Von Amsberg said in all projects financed by World Bank loans, the government concerned, not the World Bank, is responsible for project implementation, including all procurement, bidding, evaluation and award of contracts.

"The World Bank has a fiduciary responsibility to review implementation, including procurement, to ensure that funds are used for the intended purposes, and that agreed procurement procedures are strictly followed," he said.

In the textbook procurement, the final selection was made by the Philippine government, he added.

Von Amsberg assured the public that "cases for sanctions" under Philippine law are referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Parties complaining about corruption on WB-assisted projects can contact the WB’s Integrity Department through telephone 100511 (AT&T), 1-8000-831-0463, he added.

Von Amsberg came out with the statement after lawyer Harry Roque filed a complaint against three WB executives in connection with the textbook project.

Roque represented complainants Rex Bookstore Inc., Daehan Printing and Publishing Co., and Kolowel Trading.