A congressman urged the investigation of a complaint over contracts awarded by the Department of Education amid claims that officials are ignoring claims of irregularity after one losing bidder threatened to file charges against Assistant Education Secretary Jesus Mateo for alleged inaction on its complaint.
But Buhay Partylist Rep. Lito Atienza said complaints from losing bidders are pretty common and an investigation is the only way to determine the truth.
Atienza said he had his share of companies threatening to sue him because of their loss in the bidding process while he was mayor of Manila and former DENR secretary.
“Those kinds of complaints are already natural. That is a regular occurrence [in the bidding process],” Atienza said, adding that, while it may be a hassle for the government agency, it will give them a chance to prove its transparency.
Atienza said winning bidders and government officials should not allow such threats to hamper government projects, saying public service should not be delayed because of a complaint by a losing company.
“It gives the department a chance to prove their transparency. And I hope they will not get sidetracked by these instances. Just go on with the project especially if it will involve the students,” he said.
Atienza made the remarks after DepEd supplier Multifocus Corp. threatened to charge the agency’s Bids and Awards Committee, led by Assistant Secretary Jesus Mateo, for alleged inaction on its complaint that it has lost P1.5 billion in various contracts at DepEd.
The company chided Mateo, chairman of the Bids and Awards Committee of DepEd, for his alleged inaction on its complaint to a fellow supplier.
But the move could backfire as the Department of Education said the supplier-bidder could face censure if it continues to drag officials of the department in its complaint. The DepEd is one of the government agencies bombarded with complaints from loosing bidders.
“Accusations of inaction or corruption against DepEd officials should be backed by verifiable evidence. Secretary Briones won’t hesitate to censure bidders who shame the department with baseless accusations. We are not siding with anyone here,” a DepEd insider familiar with the bidding said.
“The possible case against Asec Mateo is one good example,” the insider said, claiming that Multifocus reportedly had a falling out with their Chinese partner over a joint venture.
“The Chinese didn’t know that they were entering a joint venture in the DepEd bid. Multifocus needed a JVA during said bid, a similar contract completed but with half the price,” the insider narrated.
