Teodoro vows impartial probe on P1.2-B chopper deal

MANILA, Philippines – Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro assured yesterday due process to parties involved in the investigation on the canceled P1.2 billion night capable attack helicopter deal.

In an interview, Teodoro said due process must not be set aside for the sake of a speedy resolution of the case as demanded by the public.

“I know that there is awareness or the expectation of a quick response but due process is involved here, we don’t want to take shortcuts,” he said.

Teodoro said, he has not yet received a report from the panels investigating the canceled contract, and that he could not make any conclusions without seeing the official findings.

“They (panels) have not come out with anything, and I don’t want to make a statement because it will prejudge and it will diminish the credibility of whatever investigation that is occurring,” he said.

The Department of National Defense (DND) Bids and Awards Committee was tasked to look into the liability of officials of Asian Aerospace Corp., which pre-qualified for the contract.

Another panel headed by Defense Undersecretary Ariston delos Reyes would determine the accountability of military and DND officials involved in the procurement of the aircraft.

Last January, Teodoro ordered the investigation of the scrapped bidding for the Night Capable Attack Helicopters.

After canceling the bidding process for the P1.2-billion helicopters, the defense and military establishments would hold a  combined procurement process for the same aircraft and add another P2 billion.

Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Pedrito Cadungog said with the additional budget, they hope to purchase 18 helicopters instead of six.

The DND has formed a new bids and awards committee to handle the procurement of the helicopters.

The department canceled the earlier bidding after an investigating panel found out that the helicopters offered by Asian Aerospace Corp. did not meet the technical specifications required by the Air Force. – James Mananghaya