Ombudsman urged to sue DOTC execs over alleged LTO project anomalies

MANILA, Philippines - International anti-graft watchdog Transparency International (TI) urged the Office of the Ombudsman to file charges against Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) officials in connection with delays and alleged anomalies in the bidding for the P8.2-billion Land Transportation Office information technology infrastructure and database.

In a nine-page letter, TI Philippines alleged that certain members of the DOTC’s bids and awards committee, led by vice chairman Undersecretary Rene Limcaoco, committed procurement law violations and anomalies that laid the ground for current LTO computerization contractor Stradcom Corp. to extend its contract, which ends on Feb. 10, 2013, and force the DOTC to resort to a negotiated purchase with a favored bidder. 

The committee allegedly started the bidding process without an approved budget for the contract, an approved procurement plan, a project procurement management plan, a listing of different programs, activities and projects schedule for the years 2011 and 2012, all in violation of procurement laws, the group said.

TI Philippines also alleged that the committee reportedly charged bidders P1 million each for the bid documents, violating the P75,000 prescribed rate set by the Government Procurement Policy Board and procurement laws.

The group also said the bid panel allegedly made significant changes in the terms of reference of the bidding within one week from the submission and opening of bids conducted last Nov. 26. The DOTC has yet to name the winning bidder.

TI Philippines also said Limcaoco reportedly went to the LTO in August and pushed for the extension of Stradcom’s contract.

The letter was signed by TI Philippines president, Ambassador Rosalinda Tirona; trustees Demaree Raval, Erasto Sanchez, Voltaire Acosta, and engineer Antonio Navarro; executive director Mona Lee Teves; and advisory committee chair Judge Dolores Espanol.