Makati parking building probe results in proposals in aid of legislation

Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III. INQUIRER.net file photo

MANILA, Philippines–Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III said the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee inquiry on the allegedly overpriced Makati parking building had resulted in several ideas for the amendment of existing procurement laws and laws on the accountability of public officials, and for the improvement of auditing guidelines.

The proposals include:

— Mandatory videotaping of public bidding processes.

— Rotation of Commission on Audit (COA) personnel to prevent familiarization and camaraderie with people being audited.

— Rotation of members of the bids and awards committee for government projects to prevent familiarization and camaraderie with people involved in the bidding process.

— Need for a law to define when there is a presumption of overpricing in a government project.

A “one project, one ordinance” rule, which means big-ticket infrastructure projects must be governed by specific ordinances authorizing their construction and a complete budget allocation.–Leila B. Salaverria