PS-DBM seeks NBI probe on DepEd laptops deal, submits documents

The Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) is seeking the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) assistance in investigating the acquisition of laptops for the Department of Education (DepEd).

In a statement, the PS-DBM said they had submitted documents to the NBI on August 12, 2022 following the directive of the agency’s Executive Director Dennis Santiago for a “thorough examination of the cost of the items involved, as well as [their] technical specifications.”

The Commission on Audit (COA) had flagged the DepEd's purchase of laptops for teachers to implement distance learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic, describing the purchased equipment as allegedly "pricey and outdated" as there were more affordable and better options available.

“Isinumite po natin sa NBI ang mga dokumentong may kinalaman sa mga isyu na binigyang pansin ng COA upang maimbestigahan ng masusi ang mga ito. Patunay po ito na ang bagong administrasyon ng PS-DBM ay seryoso sa layuning matugunan ang audit findings ng COA, at malaman kung may irregularities ba ang nga ito o non-compliance sa umiiral na batas,” Santiago said.

(The documents related to the findings which were flagged by COA were submitted to the NBI so the issues would be investigated thoroughly. This is proof that the new administration of the PS-DBM is serious about resolving the findings of COA and finding out if there were irregularities or non-compliance to prevailing laws.)

“The NBI is a highly competent investigation authority to take over the matter to ensure that the probe would be fair, impartial, and independent. We do not want any room for suspicion,” the PS-DBM chief said.

Discrepancies

Santiago said that the request for the NBI to step in was made after an examination showed alleged discrepancies in the initial findings which were similar to COA’s observations.

“Maigi na ang NBI ang humawak para mahimay at masusing mabusisi ang mga dokumento, para rin makatutok ang mga empleyado sa trabaho at sa aming mandato,” he said.

(It is better for the NBI to handle this and thoroughly examine the documents, so the employees can focus on their duties and our mandate.)

“Ayaw po namin na ang bagay na ito ay patagalin pa. Maraming masisipag, mahuhusay at dedikadong empleyado ang PS-DBM na naaapektuhan ng usaping ito, kaya maigi pong humingi ng tulong sa NBI upang matugunan sa lalong madaling panahon ang pag-resolba sa isyu, at matukoy kung sino ang mga dapat panagutin nang naaayon sa batas,” he added.

(We do not want to prolong this issue. The PS-DBM has competent and dedicated employees who might be affected by these issues, thus it is better to seek the NBI’s help to get to the bottom of resolving the issue so we can identify who should be liable based on the law.)

In its annual audit report on the DepEd for 2021, the COA raised concerns about the DepEd's purchase of laptops for teachers to implement distance learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COA said that the purchase of the more expensive laptops than the ones specified resulted in the procurement of fewer units, depriving over 28,000 teachers of the benefit.

"Based on the initial feedback we gathered from the auditors in the NCR and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), they stated that the delivered laptop computers by the winning bidder are too slow because the processor is... outdated; and the price is too high based on the specifications as attached to the DepEd Memorandum," the audit report said.

“Per available documents, the Audit Team could not ascertain the DBM-PS' basis for adopting the unit price of P58,300," it added.

The audit report said that the 68,500 laptops that were supposed to be procured were reduced to 39,583 units mainly due to the huge increase in the estimated cost - from P35,046 to P58,300, anchored on the DBM-PS' recommendation, which was duly accepted by the DepEd.

State auditors said the DepEd settled and agreed with the price and technical specifications provided by PS-DBM.

GMA News Online has sought comment from former PS-DBM chief Lloyd Christopher Lao through calls and text messages to his known contact details but it has yet to receive any reply.

It will publish Lao's comments once available.

PS-DBM abolition

As for abolishing the PS-DBM, Santiago said that they fully understood the view of several groups and legislators, such as the House of Representatives Makabayan bloc which refiled a measure that would abolish the PS-DBM amid issues of irregularities surrounding the agency.

"We know where they are coming from as we share their sentiment on zero tolerance against irregularities in government transactions,” said Santiago.

He, however, said that these calls needed to be balanced with the presence of honest and dedicated employees who have been working in the office for many years, coupled with the procurement efficiency and economy that PS-DBM provided to government agencies since 1978.

PS-DBM operates a centralized procurement system for common-use office supplies and equipment and has made procurement undertakings efficient amongst agencies and offices of the government for decades.

It has also streamlined the procurement process with its Virtual Store, a centerpiece project of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS), which has been recognized by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.

Instead of abolishing PS-DBM, Santiago instead proposed the agency’s transformation.

“I want to continue and push for procurement reforms that we supported in 2002, but these reforms should now shift to greater heights," Santiago said.

"Under my watch, I look forward to achieving ‘procurement transformation,’ not only as to processes, procedures, and products that we procure but the overall transformation of PS-DBM relative to its structure, system, and human resource. I want a solid and overall transformation of PS-DBM.”

To realize this "procurement transformation,” the PS-DBM chief said he was committed to having a focused procurement coverage with common use supplies and equipment (CSE), rationalized CSEs to include motor vehicles and other commonly procured goods, upscale logistics and supply chain management, streamline and run PhilGEPS to cover end-to-end eBidding, eShopping and eReverse Auction Platforms, among others.

Hontiveros to file resolution on DepEd laptop issue

For her part, Senator Risa Hontiveros reiterated her office is preparing a resolution to seek a Senate inquiry on the DepEd laptop issue.

She said Lao will probably be summoned as part of the investigation and will be asked not only about the supposed overpriced laptops but also about the “questionable” transactions of PS-DBM.

“Tingin ko kapag naihain ang resolusyon ko at harinawa didinggin ng appropriate committee dito sa Senado, ay palawakin yung pag-imbestiga namin, at kung aabot sa mga rekomendasyon na buwagin kung may mga grupo diyan na sinasamantala hindi lamang ang mandato ng PS-DBM at ng iba’t ibang departamento at ahensya, pero pinagsasamantalahan, pinagkakakitaan, sa gitna pa ng pandemya, ang perang galing sa buwis ng mamamayan, at perang nasa kamay ng gobyerno,” she said.

(Once my resolution has been filed and has been transmitted to the appropriate Senate committee, I think we will widen the investigation and the recommendation to the abolishment of groups in the PS-DBM that abuse not only its mandate but also earn money amid the pandemic, the money that came from the taxes of the Filipino people that is handled by the government.)

"Kapag didinggin na ang resolusyon, kailangan naming tawagin muli si dating Usec. Lao," she added.

(If the resolution is passed, we have to call back Usec. Lao). — with Sundy Locus/DVM/BAP, GMA News