Pimentel seeks probe into Deped's procurement of overpriced, outdated laptops

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III has filed a resolution seeking a Blue Ribbon committee investigation into the Department of Education's procurement of alleged overpriced and outdated laptops through the Department of Budget and Management Procurement Service (PS-DBM) in 2021.

Pimentel filed proposed Senate Resolution 120 "with the end in view of identifying accountability and making changes to our procurement laws and processes, if found necessary."

"When the procurement process is plagued with problems such as deficiencies, irregularities, and corruption, the government loses a huge amount of money. But corruption in public procurement is not just about losing money. It also reduces the quality of work or services rendered by the government to the people, in this case, our child learners," he wrote in the resolution.

"It is thus imperative for the DepEd and the DBM-PS to explain the basis for the change in the unit price (from P35,046.50 to P58,300.00) and the number of laptop units from (68,500 to 39,583) to be procured by the DBM-PS; and the subsequent approval and acceptance of the DepEd of these laptops that are not in accordance with its budget and its original technical specifications to the detriment of our public school teachers and their students," he added.

In its 2021 annual audit report (AAR), COA flagged DepEd over the procurement of P2.4 billion worth of outdated and pricey laptops for teachers through the PS-DBM for the implementation of distance learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his resolution, Pimentel cited the 2021 COA findings on the "pricey computer laptops with low-end processor" and the lack of documentary requirements to support the fund transfer to DBM-PS of the P2.4 billion budget which remained unliquidated at the end of 2021.

"Annually, the Philippine government earmarks billions of pesos to purchase goods and services necessary to respond to the needs of the people. Spending this huge amount entails a very big responsibility on the part of the government because of the public trust involved," he said.

"On the other hand, citizens, as taxpayers, have the right to expect that their government will spend these funds wisely and honestly, getting the best value for their money," Pimentel went on.

GMA New Online reached out to DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa for comment on Pimentel's resolution but he has yet to respond as of posting time.

In a statement Tuesday, DepEd said it welcomes the congressional probe on the laptop procurement after the Makabayan bloc filed a resolution in the House of Representatives.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros said she will also file a resolution on the matter.

"[W]e look forward to the committee calling in these officials of PS-DBM so that these numerous issues are investigated," she said.

"The characters from Pharmally seem to be reprising their earlier kontrabida roles in the new anomalies flagged by COA," she added.

GMA News Online sought the comment of PS-DBM on Hontiveros' statement but they have yet to respond as of posting time.—AOL, GMA News