Senator Grace Poe said former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas (inset) should explain the P1.8-billion deal with Indian car maker Mahindra which the COA has tagged as disadvantageous to the government. INQUIRER FILE
Former Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima should explain why the P1.8-billion “disadvantageous” deal between the PNP and an Indian car maker was approved, Senator Grace Poe said Tuesday.
Poe said the deal could not have pushed through without the knowledge of Roxas, who was secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government in 2015 when the deal was negotiated.
“Napatawag natin si Gen. Purisima dahil isa siya [sa sangkot] doon,” Poe said in an interview over radio dzMM.
“Makikita natin kung tatanggapin lahat ni Gen. Purisima ang pagkakasala dito o mayroon siyang ituturo na nag-impluwensya sa kanya para aprubahan ito,” the chair of the Senate committee on public services added.
Roxas resigned in August 2015 and was replaced by former Western Samar Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento.
Poe’s reaction came after the Commission on Audit (COA) flagged as “disadvantageous” the purchase of India-made Mahindra Enforcer and Mahindra Scorpio vehicles, worth P1.8 billion in 2015.
The vehicles were purchased from the Columbian Autocar Corporation under the PNP’s Capability Enhancement Program in March and December 2015.
Poe chided the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and the DILG during the time of President Benigno Aquino III for apparently giving undue favor to some bidders in government projects.
“Huwag nating kalilimutan ‘yung nangyari dito na parang pinaboran ang isang kumpanya na hindi naman napatunayan na mayroong magandang serbisyo sa ating bansa,” Poe said.
“Wala ngang mga service center ‘yan. Ginamit lang ang Kia na parang default service center para sa Mahindra,” she noted.
“Ewan ko kung sino ang common denominator ng DOTC at ng DILG na para bang napapaboran ang ibang tao na wala naman talagang kapabilidad na tumugon sa mga pangangailangan na makakabuti para sa mga ahensya,” she continued.
Poe said she was also set to schedule a probe into the issue probably the week before session resumes on July 23. /cbb
READ: Poe to launch probe on PNP’s purchase of P1.89-B Mahindra patrol vehicles