DOTr bans prospective bidders with pending cases vs. gov’t

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is banning prospective bidders with pending cases against the government from participating in all its bidding activities.

A June 26 memorandum required prospective bidders to submit a certification, under oath, certifying that they have no pending case against the government, Transportation Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Procurement Reinier Paul Yebra said on Thursday.

The certification must be included in the bid data sheet of DOTr projects, the department noted in a statement.

“Failure of a bidder to comply with the requirement, or submitting false certification, shall constitute a ground for automatic disqualification,” Yebra said in a statement.

 The new requirement is in line with the procurement principles of Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

“Common sense lang naman ‘yan. May kaso nga, may problema, bakit mo naman hahayaan na kumita pa gamit ang pera ng taumbayan? Prospective bidders who want to do business with government must have a clean record, and must have a history of good dealings with the government. It’s that simple,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said in the same statement.

The DOTr will ensure that all prospective bidders are properly screened towards the goal of preventing opportunities for corruption in government, Yebra said. —Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News