DOJ warns public vs bogus gov’t procurement office and its agents

The Department of Justice. (Photo by RYAN LEAGOGO / INQUIRER.net)

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday warned the public of a website presenting itself as the Philippine government’s official procurement agency.

In its advisory, the DOJ identified the supposed agency as the Philippines Project Award Commission (PPAC) with a website at www.philippinesprojectawardscommission.info whose authorized agents are the “Champs Court” and “Champion Court Business Consulting Agency.”

“The general public is hereby advised to exercise extraordinary caution in conducting online transactions so as not to unwittingly fall prey to such other similar fake websites,” read the DOJ advisory.

The DOJ said it is neither a recognized state agency nor a legally registered corporation listed in the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In the said bogus website, the PPAC illegally conducts online public bidding and makes solicitation from foreign entities aside from issuing fake official receipts that are allegedly coming from Philippine government agencies, among other activities.

The public is advised to report transaction attempts by the mentioned website to the DOJ Office of Cybercrime ([email protected]); the National Bureau of Investigation (526-1294); and the Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group (723-0401 local 5313).

The DOJ reiterated that the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) is the sole centralized electronic portal that serves as the official source of information on government procurement. /je