Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre (PPAB)

Deputy Majority Leader and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre couldn’t help but feel disappointed after the Senate failed to pass the proposed Government Procurement Reform Act (GPRA) on second reading before going on Holy Week break.

During a press conference on Thursday, March 21, Acidre expressed dismay over the Senate’s seeming inaction despite the bill being certified as urgent by President Marcos.

“It’s quite disappointing, actually. To be honest, especially when you’re one of the co-authors na (that) despite the President’s call to certify, the President’s action to certify the said legislation as urgent, parang nagsi-alisan yata sila para sa IPU or nagpaplano munang pumunta sa IPU (it seems like they are leaving for IPU or planning to go to IPU first),” Acidre said. 

The IPU he is referring to is the upcoming Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva, Switzerland that is set to start on March 23 and end on the 27th.

“Unfortunately, the importance or the urgency of that measure has escaped the attention of our friends in the Senate,” he remarked.

The House of Representatives approved its version of GPRA on third and final reading on Dec. 12, 2023.

Embodied in House Bill (HB) No. 9648, it aims to improve and modernize the procurement system in the country by amending the decades-old Republic Act (RA) No. 9184 or the original GPRA.

Acidre, who is a co-author of the measure and a member of the House technical working group (TWG) for the bill, emphasized the “significant efforts” they exerted in modernizing the government’s procurement code.

He noted that this also includes provisions for a new Auditing Code.

“That’s really something that I hope the Senate will make good, especially considering that this is a piece of legislation that’s important to the overall economic and fiscal reforms that the present administration is pursuing,” the lawmaker pointed out.

To expedite the passage of the measure in the Senate, President Marcos has certified Senate Bill (SB) No. 2593 as urgent.

In a letter addressed to Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, Marcos underscored the need to address the tedious and prolonged procedure in public procurement and to enhance procurement efficacy.

“I hope our senators will see the importance of that. Clearly the President, by certifying it as urgent, understands the importance of that bill,” said Acidre.