EDUCATION Secretary Sonny Angara has warned officials and employees of the department, as well as contractors and suppliers, that he would go hammer and tongs against them if they engaged in corrupt practices in the bidding processes for DepEd projects.
Angara said he would not hesitate to file criminal and administrative cases, including dismissal from the service, against any DepEd official or employees found engaging in corrupt activities
“DepEd sternly reminds the public, bidders, contractors, suppliers, consultants and Department officials and employees involved in procurement activities, that any activity, behavior, or practice that will undermine the integrity of the procurement, defeat competition, manipulate the bidding process, unduly favor or give preference to any bidder, intentionally delay or prolong the bidding procedure has no place in DepEd and shall never be tolerated,” Angara said in DepEd Memorandum Order. 61 issued last October 30.
“DepEd remains steadfast in its duty to uphold procurement integrity and fight any and all forms of graft and corruption. Any individual or entity found in violation of RA 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act), RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) and RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) shall be made accountable to the fullest extent of the law with the imposition of criminal, civil and administrative sanctions,” he added.
Angara said bidders, suppliers, contractors and consultants who engage in corrupt practices will also be blacklisted from participating in any DepEd project.
“Bidders, suppliers, contractors and consultants are further warned that the Department will not hesitate to institute blacklisting procedures when warranted, which will result in disqualifying their participation in any bidding in the government,” he added.
Angara also appealed to the public for help, telling them to report any information regarding illegal or corrupt activities in the bidding and procurement processes.
“Any member of the public may email this Office at walangkorapsyon@deped.gov.ph. DepDd assures the public that the information provided shall be treated with the utmost confidentiality,” he said, adding the public may also report illegal activities to the PNP or the National Bureau of Investigation.
Angara also reiterated his call for fair and transparent bidding processes in accordance with the provisions of RA 9184.
He said this would ensure that all bidders would have equal opportunity to participate and be considered in every procurement process, without undue preference or advantage granted to any party.
Angara said the department, under his watch, is committed to establishing an open, transparent and efficient procurement process that will foster public confidence and enhance procurement integrity.
“To this end, the DepEd shall endeavor that no bidder shall be favored, given undue advantage, or accorded preferential treatment for any reason whatsoever,” he said.
The DepEd procurement process has been rocked by scandals in the past, including the procurement of laptops and other information and communication technology equipment under the previous administration.
Last year, the department said it would plug gaps in its procurement processes after a Senate panel recommended graft and perjury charges against several DepEd officials over the “highly irregular” purchase of overpriced laptops in 2021 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The committee’s inquiry found that laptops procured in 2021 for DepEd’s teaching and non-teaching personnel were overpriced by at least P979 million.
It said that each of the nearly 40,000 laptops cost P58,270, more expensive than its budget of P24,741.
The department has already created a separate strand for procurement, removing it from the responsibility of its administrative services department.
Another Senate panel also disclosed that since the introduction of the K to 12 curriculum in 2013, the DepEd purchased just 27 textbook titles out of the 90 required for Grades 1 to 10.
