PNP welcomes probe on alleged bid rigging in vehicle procurement

AFTER lawmakers and former police officials called for an investigation into the alleged rigging of the bidding process in the police acquisition of 1,470 patrol vehicles, the Philippine National Police said it welcomes a congressional probe on the “fair and square” bidding of the P1.3-billion deal.

ACT-CIS Rep. Samuel Pagdilao, Pangasinan Representative Leopoldo Bataoil, Antipolo Representative and Magdalo Representatives Ashley Acedillo and Gary Alejano urged the House Committee on Public Order and Safety to look into the questionable deal of the PNP with 1ndian-owned Mahindra Group and Columbian Autocar Corp. (CAC) motors.

PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. said Thursday the PNP “supports and respects” the lawmakers’ call for investigation, stressing that the150,000-strong organization is always transparent in its acquisitions.

“Mas maganda nga ito nang maging malinaw ang lahat,” he said in an interview.

A total of 1,470 units of Mahindra Enforcer patrol jeeps will be delivered to the PNP starting this year. The first tranche of 28 units will be sent to police stations starting May.

By November 1, the PNP expects the delivery of all 1,470 jeeps to be completed.

But Pagdilao claims that the PNP favored the CAC motors that bagged the deal after the PNP Bids and Awards Committee did not announce the date of the pre-bid, “technically disallowing interested parties to join the bidding.”

He said the alleged irregularity is reminiscent of the corruption-ridden purchase of Raven I Helicopters and patrol boats that tainted PNP’s integrity.

Although the PNP will be the recipient of patrol jeeps, Cerbo said the Department of Budget and Management Procurement Service facilitated the bidding.

“We believe that the DBM had a very truthful auction for the patrol jeeps that Mahindra won fair and square. Nananalig din kami sa PNP na nabili namin yung tamang produkto,” he said.

As of April, Cerbo said around 10 Mahindra patrol jeeps are being tested for reliability and endurance in Laguna. AC