Carandang demands apology from Zambales rep

MANILA, Philippines—Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang on Thursday demanded an apology from Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay for alleging he had pressured a colleague to sign for the purchase of overpriced laptop computers for the Palace communications group without the mandatory bidding which he said was nothing but a bum steer.

“I think maybe in the spirit of fairness, maybe if she apologizes then we can end this non-issue,” Carandang told reporters after showing documents that the purchase of P1.6 million worth of Apple laptops by the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office was “above board” and not overpriced as reported by Magsaysay.

Carandang said the PCDSO was able to save money from its purchase of 24 Apple laptops because it procured the items at P66,000 to P67,000 each instead of the P75,000 price tag from other companies.

He said Magsaysay, who relied on information from a “disgruntled” employee, was given a “bum steer.”

“Kuryente,” Carandang said of Magsaysay’s allegations, which she supposedly got from former Assistant Secretary Reginald Tongol.

Magsaysay, a staunch ally of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, alleged in a press conference on Wednesday that Tongol had resigned ‘‘out of disgust” after refusing to sign the purchase order for the computers.

Tongol resigned last week after Carandang, exasperated over the latter’s supposed incompetence in performing his work, suggested he should look for another job.

“If (Magsaysay) wants to do the decent thing, then I will do the decent thing and accept her apology and then we can close this little chapter,” Carandang said.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Tongol was a “disgruntled” and a “vindictive” employee, in explaining why the resigned assistant secretary was alleging that corruption had attended the purchase.

“He’s been called out for inefficiency more times than I can actually count and not just by myself but also (by) Secretary Carandang, Secretary (Edwin) Lacierda and Undersecretary (Manolo) Quezon,” Valte said of Tongol, who had tried to contact Carandang Wednesday night but whose call was ignored by the communications secretary.