Palace clears printing firm blacklisted by NPO

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang has cleared a Marikina-based printing company blacklisted by the National Printing Office (NPO) for revealing alleged irregularities in the bidding for the supply of government forms and other blank documents.       

In a resolution released in October last year, Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs (DESLA) Michael Aguinaldo of the Office of the President revoked an order issued by his predecessor that upheld the five-year ban on Ready Form Inc. (RFI).                

In handing down the ruling, Aguinaldo cited lack of jurisdiction on the case, noting the current administration had nothing to do with the decision issued by the previous DESLA.     

“This office is not bound by these null and void orders and resolutions,” Aguinaldo said.               

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by RFI general manager Guillermo Sylianteng Jr. questioning the NPO for banning his company from the bidding for the supply of government forms.       

The NPO allegedly cited RFI’s erroneous tax declaration as reason for the blacklisting.   

Sylianteng said the NPO has no authority on the supposed tax case, noting such matters are under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

He said in 2010 the BIR cleared his company of any tax liability.  

Sylianteng said RFI had filed charges before the court which resulted in the issuance of warrants of arrest against officials of the NPO bids and awards committee who blacklisted the RFI.    

He said the blacklist came after he revealed alleged irregularities in the bidding for the printing of government forms such as official receipts and certificates.

He said the NPO allegedly violated the Government Procurement Reform Act, which requires an open and transparent bidding for all government contracts.