NBI looking into 'anomalous' NPO printing deals

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is looking into the alleged anomalous deals of the National Printing Office (NPO) with three private firms.

NBI Deputy Director for Intelligence Vicente de Guzman said Wednesday that they have started a probe into the printing jobs for the Social Security System (SSS) following a request from the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).

The NPO is an attached agency of the PCOO.

De Guzman said they will invite all people involved in the said transactions before making any recommendations for criminal prosecution.

Reports said the NPO already has a P74-million contract with Western Visayas Printing Corp. (WVPC) but it still granted work orders to three other firms – Best Forms Security Printer for P34 million, Tri-Print Work for P27 million, and Metro Color for P15 million.

In the wake of the reported transactions, NPO Bids and Awards Committee chairperson Sherwin Prose Castañeda quit his post, along with other 10 BAC officials.

The PCOO, through Communications Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Enrique Tandan has found "sufficient basis" to refer the matter to the NBI for further investigation.

"The (PCOO) investigation uncovered several irregularities and violations of the Government Procurement Reform Act (Republic Act 9184) and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019), among others," said Tandan.

Earlier, advocacy group Filipino Alliance for Transparency and Empowerment (FATE) called on the PCOO to verify allegations that there were individuals allegedly acting as “collectors” or “middlemen” for NPO printing contracts.

The group had also called on the Commission on Audit to investigate the alleged redundant printing orders. —ALG, GMA News