Anti-graft group calls on Briones to probe inspectors given free trip to China

An anti-graft group called on Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones to conduct an investigation that several of its inspectors were given a free trip to China by one of their bidders.

“We are calling the attention of our good Sec. Briones to investigate the report. We will start our own investigation. This should stop at once,” said Filipino Alliance for Transparency and Empowerment (Fate), a Securities and Exchange Commission-registered watchdog.

“Did the DepEd inspectors involved change the specifications to accommodate the bidder? When did the trip happen? What was the China trip for? Who were involved?” the group asked.

Earlier, supplier Multifocus Corp. has threatened to file a case against DepEd’s chairman of the agency’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for alleged inaction on its complaint.

The complaint stems from DepEd BAC’s Bid Bulletin 2, issued in September, for the mass production, supply and delivery of Math and Science equipment for public schools.

In its letter, Multifocus asked the Bids and Awards Committee to conduct the appropriate verification of the winning supplier’s supposed failure to completely deliver or accomplish various projects awarded to it, and, if warranted, suspend or blacklist the company from subsequent DepEd bidding.

Multifocus’ letter was dated September 9, and the DepEd-Procurement Management Service received it September 13.

Multifocus claimed that of the 103 projects awarded to the winning supplier from 2010 to 2016, the firm has obtained a “zero accomplishment” in most of the projects.

Fate said DepEd is one of the government agencies bombarded with complaints from losing bidders. TVJ