DepEd bidding controversy hit

Two lawmakers have filed a resolution seeking a congressional inquiry into the allegedly rigged bidding of supplies at the Department of Education (DepEd).

In filing House Resolution 1038, Palawan Rep. Vicente Sandoval and Southern Leyte Rep. Aniceto Saludo directed the House committees on basic education and good government to look into complaints of alleged irregularities in the bidding for the printing and supply of textbooks and teachers’ manuals.

Sandoval and Saludo said some DepEd officials and employees apparently fixed the bidding procedure, which they described as "highly irregular."

Both legislators claimed they were informed by some of the bidders of the "extreme haste" in the evaluation of the bids.

"The process attracted no less than 15 bidders who submitted tenders and financial documents, which prequalified them for the said bidding which involved a loan fund of about $48 million or P2.094 billion at the current exchange rate of P54 to the US dollar," the congressmen said in a joint statement.