Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 25) — Ombudsman Samuel Martires said there is a need to revisit the government procurement law.
He made the statement following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA), where the chief executive asked lawmakers to create a new procurement law and auditing code.
In particular, Martires said bond requirements must be studied carefully as these increase the prices of supplies and equipment to the disadvantage of government.
It increases the price of supplies and equipment to the prejudice of the government. For example a vehicle with an SRP of (₱)1M will possibly cost the government (₱)1.2M to (₱)1.4M to purchase. Isn’t that insane?” Martires said in a text message to CNN Philippines on Tuesday.
“Worse, the procurement law is becoming a ‘lucrative source of income’ for corrupt government officials,” he added.
Bond requirements under the procurement law include an advance payment and retention money bond.Meanwhile, Martires said he has no complaints about the current auditing code.However, the Ombudsman believes the law creating the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) must be repealed.
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Martires earlier confirmed his office is investigating the Department of Education’s purchase of overpriced and outdated laptops worth ₱2.4 billion. The transaction was coursed through the PS-DBM.
