Group seeks P-Noy's help vs blacklisted contractors

MANILA, Philippines - The Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE) appealed yesterday to President Aquino to investigate all losing and blacklisted contractors who harass government employees and officials by filing baseless administrative and criminal cases to exact revenge.

COURAGE national president Ferdinand Gaite said in a press statement that a number of active and former government employees want the President to look into the financial status of these blacklisted companies if they are paying the right taxes and submitting the proper documents and other pertinent materials needed to join a public bidding.

The employees specifically mentioned a contractor involved in printing government forms whose practice is to file administrative and criminal cases after losing in government bidding. 

The contractor is now blacklisted from participating in government projects for using fraudulent documents.

The group also asked the President to look into the possibility that this erring contractor is conniving with syndicates by selling them government forms that can be used to produce fraudulent documents.

Gaite said the government must ensure that all contractors and companies have genuine pertinent documents to do business with the government to ensure transparent, corrupt- and graft-free transactions.

COURAGE said they are more than willing to help government employees who are experiencing harassment from losing and blacklisted bidders, aside from the legal assistance they are receiving from their mother agency.

“Before they accuse government officials of any wrongdoing, they should first come with clean hands,” a government worker said.