PhilGEPS: P4B worth of govt contracts awarded to 2 PNP ‘White House’ donors

Two of the three companies that donated to the controversial renovation of the Philippine National Police chief's official quarters inside Camp Crame have previous contracts with the government amounting to billions of pesos.

A report on “24 Oras” on Wednesday citing the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) said Pacific Concrete Corp. and Ulticon Builders had contracts with some government agencies amounting to P4 billion.

The renovation of the PNP chief's residence, dubbed as the “White House,” was one of the bases for the filing of two graft, plunder and indirect bribery complaints against PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima, who is accused of having ill-gotten wealth. The renovation reportedly cost P12 million.

Another basis was Purisima's alleged mansion in Nueva Ecija, which, at P3.7 million, was allegedly undervalued in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).

Donors

PhilGEPS data, culled by GMA News Research, showed that Pacific Concrete Corp. had won multiple contracts with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

The total amount awarded to Pacific Concrete Corp. was listed at P593 million with some contracts dating back to 2009.

The company declined to issue a statement, telling GMA News that its president, lawyer Alex Lopez, was currently out of the country.

Meanwhile, Davao-based Ulticon Builders had bagged a total of P3.3 billion in contracts from the DPWH and the local government of Bukidnon since 2011, according to PhilGEPS.

It also declined to issue a statement, saying its listed donor, Carlos Gonzales, was also abroad.

Another donor in the "White House" renovation was Christopher Pastrana of CAPP industries.

'White House'
Pacific Concrete Corp.'s Lopez was the one who signed the deed of donation for the renovation of the so-called White House of the PNP chief inside Camp Crame, according to the “24 Oras” report.

Pacific Concrete Corp. project manager Engr. Cesar Reyes earlier said the company never had any transactions with the PNP. He also said they did not donate cash but instead gave P2 million worth of construction materials for the White House repairs.

He added that all their contracts went through proper bidding process.

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas earlier said his department, which has direct supervision over the PNP, would look into the background of the donors for the “White House” renovation.

The absolute deed of donation for the repairs states that “The donors have no business interests in the PNP, and do not intend or expect to have business relation with the PNP, but are making the donation for the sole purpose of supporting the PNP.”

Purisima faced a Senate probe Tuesday where he denied allegations of having ill-gotten wealth. He, however, failed to fully convince the senators.  

Senator Grace Poe said she didn't think Purisima was telling the whole truth.  —Andrei Medina/KBK/NB, GMA News