Senate panel denies former PS-DBM chief Lao’s immigration clearance request

Former DBM-PS Undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao virtually attends the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged pricey yet outdated laptops for public school teachers. Screengrab from Senate of the Philippines YouTube account

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate blue ribbon committee on Thursday  denied the request of Lloyd Christopher Lao, former head of the Department of Budget and Management – Procurement Service, for clearance which will lift the immigration lookout bulletin against him.

The Department of Justice earlier placed Lao on the immigration lookout bulletin following his alleged involvement in the Pharmally scandal.

Lao is being summoned by the blue ribbon committee anew due to the issue of alleged overpriced yet outdated laptop procurement for teachers.

“Atty. Lloyd Lao [is] requesting for a clearance from this committee which will be used for the lifting of the immigration lookout bulletin issued by the Department of Justice,” Senator Francis Tolentino, panel chairperson, said during the hearing on Thursday.

“The committee has decided to deny the request of Usec. Lao by virtue of a vote of 10 senators for denial, five senators granting the request, and two senators not participating,” he added.

The Commission on Audit earlier flagged the Department of Education (DepEd) for purchasingP2.4 billion worth of outdated laptops. 

The DepEd tapped the PS-DBM to procure the laptops for public school teachers.

According to state auditors, the DepEd’s purchase “adversely decreased the number of intended beneficiaries from 68,500 to 39,583 public school teachers.”

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