Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 23) — The Office of the Ombudsman is now investigating the Department of Education’s (DepEd) purchase of overpriced and outdated laptops for public school teachers in 2021.
READ: DepEd seeks fraud audit on ‘pricey, outdated’ laptops
Ombudsman Samuel Martires said the fact-finding investigation was initiated early this year after his office received the report of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, which recommended charges against some former and present officials of the DepEd and former Department of Budget and Management procurement service head Christopher Lloyd Lao.
He added that the initial probe is almost done and a preliminary investigation will follow if graft investigators find sufficient grounds.
The DepEd said it is cooperating with the Office of the Ombudsman.
\”DepEd has already submitted particular documents requested by the Ombudsman in relation to this issue,\” DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said.
READ: DepEd: Documents to answer COA findings on overpriced laptops submitted
In its 2021 audit report, the COA flagged the Department of Education (DepEd) over the purchase of pricey laptops with low-end processors supposedly for the implementation of distance learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
