Probe into NPO deals leaves more questions than answers —group  

A transparency and accountability watchdog questioned the result of the investigation into the alleged anomalous transactions in the National Printing Office, saying it lacked clear answers to clarify contracts entered into by the concerned NPO officials.

In a statement on Sunday, the Filipino Alliance for Transparency and Empowerment (FATE) said that the result of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) probe left more questions than answers.

“We are asking for a concrete decision base from the Tandan investigation. Apektado ang mga kawani ng NPO dahil sa mga anomalyang tulad nito,” said FATE, referring to PCOO's Enrique Tandan III, who led the probe.

Last week, the group called on Communications Secretary Martin Andanar to disclose the results of Tandan's investigation. 

The NPO is an attached agency of the PCOO , which Andanar heads. 

Upon Andanar's order, Tandan on November 21 asked NPO director Francisco Vales Jr. to furnish him the contracts and agreements entered into by the printing office with three private printing companies. 

On Sunday, the group said it wanted to know if representatives from all three private printers tapped in the deal were all invited to shed light on the investigation.

“Nakadidismaya ang paliguy-ligoy na desisyon. Walang kasagutan kung dapat bang bayaran pa ng gobyerno ang mga na-imprenta nang tatlong printers. Wala ring desisyon kung sino ang nag-utos na mag-issue ng tatlo pang work order samantalang may nauna nang konrata ang NPO,” said FATE, an advocacy group registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission.

FATE challenged the government to immediately file necessary charges against NPO officials who were found involved in irregularities regarding the granting of additional work orders.

“We welcome the result of the inquiry. Napatunayan na may anomalyang transaksyon hindi lamang sa konrata sa SSS forms, kundi pati na rin sa iba pang konrata ng NPO. Nararapat lamang na sampahan na ng kaukulang kaso ang mga sangkot dito” the group said.

It said that Tandan's probe uncovered sufficient basis to believe that criminal and administrative offenses were committed by those involved in the NPO contract following reports of bribery and illegal sub-contracting.

Also, it said that Tandan decided to refer the matter to the proper investigative offices for further investigation and possible filing of criminal complaints.

Tandan had vowed to continue with the probe to determine the possibility of filing administrative charges against erring officials and employees involved in the irregularities uncovered.

In the wake of the reported granting of work orders to the three additional printers, NPO Bids and Awards Committee Chair Sherwin Prose Castañeda quit his post, along with other 10 BAC officials. —LBG, GMA News