Drilon: DBM-PS staff could be charged over inspection reports signing issue

Former and present staff members of the Department of Budget and Management's Procurement Service (DBM-PS) were warned they could be charged for not identifying who ordered the signing of inspection reports for COVID-19 supplies that had not yet been delivered to the government.

During the continuation on Thursday of the Senate Blue Ribbon hearing on the alleged overpriced medical supplies procured by the DBM-PS in 2020, Senator Francis Pangilinan asked former accounting chief Raul Catalan about these inspection reports.

To recall, Jorge Mendoza, former officer-in-charge of the DBM-PS Inspection Division, divulged that he was asked to sign documents even before an actual inspection of products was made.

Mendoza said it was Catalan who instructed him to sign the reports.

On Thursday, Catalan said that as part of the accounting division, he has no authority over other departments such as the inspection division.

He denied that it was he who ordered the signing of the inspection reports pending the shipment of COVID-19 supplies from China.

Mendoza said there is no specific instruction from Catalan to sign the inspection report but that he was informed that no payments can be made without such documents.

“No direct instruction po. He just said, for him to process payments, we need the ICAR,” he said.

Catalan then mentioned a meeting attended by division heads of procurement, finance and the operations where they were given a general directive by the head of the agency.

At the time, Budget Undersecretary Christopher Lloyd Lao was the officer-in-charge in the DBM-PS.

“What I can recall is there is a directive from the head of the agency…That we prioritize COVID-19 items procured under the Bayanihan Law since there is n urgent need for these items,” Catalan said, but emphasized that Lao gave a general order and he did not give specific instruction on this particular transaction.

At this point, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon told them that they could be charged with falsifying documents as it could be concluded that they did the act on their own and without orders from their superiors.

“Are you saying that you did this own your own or upon instruction of Mr. Lao? Remember that you are committing an offense. You are falsifying the documents, saying that you have inspected this when in fact no inspection took place,” Drilon said.

“I hope you realize that it is not that simple to say that I just relied on general instruction because the conclusion is you did it on your own,” he added.

Catalan said it was a general instruction from Lao. Drilon then reminded him that the senator was trying to help him and “save his neck.”

“Were instructions given or not? I’m trying to save your neck ah. If you don’t want to save your neck, it is up to you,” he said.

Senate blue ribbon chairman Richard Gordon also warned them that they might be found “on the carpet of falsification,” saying that both Mendoza and Catalan are trying to “play safe” on the issue.

“I did not instruct him and nobody  instructed him except for that meeting that Usec. Lao directed us to assist the payment during the height of he pandemic,” Catalan insisted.

Mendoza, for his part, said the document that was signed is just a “pro forma” paper and it is not the final inspection report.

Senators also pointed out that both Catalan and Mendoza seemed hesitant to name Lao on the issue, and that they were hesitant to divulge further information when asked if Lao was aware of the signing of the pro forma inspection report.

Gordon said inspection reports could not be signed if there are no “suasions” from the head of the agency.

Eventually, Drilon advised them to consult lawyers as they might be held liable over the signing of inspection reports pending the delivery of the items procured.

“Lahat ng sinasabi ninyo dito masasabit kayo. [What you were saying here might incriminate you.] Your only defense, if I may advise you, is to say that we are just following the instruction of your superior because the way you are saying it you are trying to save the skin of Mr. Lao at your expense. You are trying to save the neck of Mr. Lao at your expense,” Drilon pointed out. — BM, GMA News