PACC sues APO Production head over passport printing deal

The Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) has filed charges against APO Production Unit Inc. chief Michael Dalumpines before the Office of the Ombudsman over the alleged unlawful use of a subcontractor for the printing of passports.

PACC Chairperson Greco Belgica said violated the anti-graft law and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees for tapping the services of the United Graphic Expression Corporation (UGEC) for the production of e-passports.

At the Laging Handa briefing, Belgica said the deal violated the condition of the 2015 agreement between the Department of Foreign Affairs and APUI that the job could not be assigned to a private printer.

In 2018, Dalumpines denied there was an anomaly in the project.

In a report by the Philippine Information Agency, Dalumpines said APUI's joint venture agreement with UGEC followed the guidelines set by the National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Budget and Management, Governance Commission for GOCCs, and the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel.

Dalumpines also said the APUI takes care of the printing of passports, while the UGEC only handles the financing and provides the machinery and supplies. —NB, GMA News