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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Explain 'procurement shortcuts', Makabayan solon tells OVP

Explain 'procurement shortcuts', Makabayan solon tells OVP

Published Jul 4, 2023 04:15 am
ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro (left), and Vice President Sara Duterte (Facebook)


Makabayan solon ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro has called out the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for allegedly taking shortcuts in the lawful government procurement process. "We are deeply concerned about the OVP's alleged shortcuts in procurement processes. This is a matter that should not be taken lightly, especially considering that millions, even billions, of taxpayer's money are involved," Castro said in a statement Tuesday, July 4. The House deputy minority leader said the matter should be taken seriously "given that the OVP has millions of confidential and intelligence funds that require scrutiny". Castro, a veteran congresswoman, vowed to bring up this issue during the House deliberations on the proposed 2024 national budget, which could take place either this coming August or September. "We will not let this pass without proper investigation and accountability. It is our duty to ensure that public funds are spent in a transparent and accountable manner," she added. Earlier Tuesday, it was reported that the Commission on Audit (COA) had flagged the OVP for failing to follow procurement rules under Republic Act (RA) No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act when it purchased over P680,000 worth of equipment. Reports said the equipment was used to set up the OVP's satellite offices at the start of Vice President Sara Duterte's term. ACT Teachers Party-list said the OVP ought to provide a full explanation and cooperate with any investigatios in connection with these allegations. Castro asked the concerned government agencies to conduct a thorough review of the procurement processes and overall budgets of the OVP, Department of Education's (DepEd), and even the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) to ensure compliance with established rules and regulations. "We must uphold the principles of good governance and fiscal responsibility. It is crucial to establish transparency and accountability in all government offices, including the OVP," Castro concluded. Duterte is the concurrent DepEd secretary and NTF-ELCAC co-vice chairperson.

Related Tags

ACT Teachers Partylist procurement Rep. France Castro OVP Commission on Audit (COA) Sara Duterte
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