Printing firm distances self from mess at NPO

A private printing company yesterday distanced itself from alleged irregularities at the National Printing Office (NPO) which prompted members of the agency’s bids and awards committee (BAC) to quit en masse.

In a statement, Topbest Printing Corp. demanded an apology from NPO deputy director Sherwin Prose Castañeda and threatened to sue him for claiming that the company was the “favored printer” of NPO Director Francisco Vales Jr., an appointee of President Duterte.

Castañeda said he resigned as BAC chair along with 10 other BAC members after Vales “pressured” them to renew a P50-million lease contract with Topbest sans public bidding.

“We demand a public apology from … Castañeda, the BAC members and BAC secretariat as soon as possible or we will be compelled/constrained to file the necessary legal actions to protect Topbest’s interests and unblemished reputation,” Topbest said.

“We have never solicited/lobbied for any printing jobs from any public or private office,” it added.

The printing company said its officials only met with Vales once during a “courtesy visit” together with representatives of six other private printing firms on Nov. 8. —MARLON RAMOS