DOTr rules: No bidders with pending cases

A new memorandum from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has disallowed prospective bidders with pending cases from participating in bidding activities within the department.

“Common sense lang naman ‘yan. May kaso nga, may problema, bakit mo naman hahayaan na kumita pa gamit ang pera ng taumbayan (It’s just common sense. Why would you allow people with cases to earn more from the government?)” DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said in a statement on Thursday.

“Prospective bidders who want to do business with government must have a clean record, and must have a history of good dealings with the government.  It’s that simple,” he added.

DOTr said that Tugade’s measure, including an order to publicly broadcast the biddings, is an effort to reform the agency.

According to Undersecretary Reinier Paul Yebra, the directive stems from the procurement principles set by R.A. 9184 or the Government Procurement Act for a streamlined bidding process.

To avoid corruption in the government, Yebra said the DOTr will ensure that all companies who want to participate in the bidding process are screened.

The DOTr will also require participants to submit a certification under oath stating that they are not facing any pending case. This will be included in the required documents for bidding.

“Failure of a bidder to comply with the requirement or submission of a false Certification shall constitute a ground for automatic disqualification,” Yebra said. /ee