No anomalies in Army boots contract – Abaya

Armed Forces chief Gen. Narciso Abaya maintained yesterday that a P100-million contract to supply boots to the Philippine Army was aboveboard, debunking allegations of anomalies.

President Arroyo ordered the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday to investigate the matter.

Questions into the supply contract surfaced last week when it was reported that Filboot Manufacturing Corp. was chosen over two other firms that submitted lower bids, triggering speculations of backroom dealing that has often hounded government contracts.

In a press briefing yesterday at Camp Aguinaldo, Abaya rejected published reports alleging that the AFP canceled the contract won by a bidder to favor a "client" supplier.

He said the military would never compromise the safety of its personnel. "We take offense at the accusation that the AFP, through the Research and Development Center, manipulated tests and findings to favor certain bidders," he said.

The AFP only provided technical assistance to ensure that supplies procured by the military met standards, Abaya added.

"The professional manner by which the inter-agency bids and awards committee conducted the procurement, and the substantial savings generated were prime considerations that prompted the Philippine Army to likewise course the succeeding procurement for combat boots worth P102 million through the (Department of Budget and Management’s procurement service)," he said.

Issues raised by the losing bidder in the press have been already been answered by the budget department’s bids and awards committee.

Abaya was referring to Jodaar, a firm that submitted the lowest bid and won the contract. However, it lost the contract after its first delivery of boots, which were said to be substandard.

The contract was then awarded to Filboot, which Abaya said met the Army’s standards. "Yes, it costs more but the quality is high standard. Which one should we choose? That one which costs less but is substandard and doesn’t last long?"

Abaya, along with budget officials, showed boots made by Jodaar to reporters.

"Winning the pre-qualification bid is not an insurance that your contract to supply us with military items will not be canceled because we have this continuing monitoring on supplies delivered," Abaya explained. "If your sample is good but your delivered goods is substandard, we will automatically cancel the contract."

He said the AFP "stands by the technical findings of the Research and Development Center and supports the decision of the inter-agency bids and awards committee.

Citing a similar case, Abaya revealed that the military had recently canceled a contract to a supplier that won a bid to supply tents.

"The ponchos were found to be substandard when we tested the first delivery, rainwater seeped through. We procure that to keep our troops dry in the field and we’re going to get ones that leak? The contract was canceled," he said.

In ordering an investigation, Mrs. Arroyo said "those found culpable must be proceeded against in the proper court and meted out sanctions under the regulations and standards of the command."

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said military authorities would decide the sanctions that would be imposed on those found guilty of wrongdoing.

"The details will have to be threshed out but the President is very interested to get to the bottom of what these activities are and who are involved and wants the utmost sanctions on all those found responsible," Bunye told a press briefing.

The controversy again raised the lingering issue of corruption in the military, which was brought to the fore last year when several junior officers staged a 22-hour failed mutiny.

In July, the mutineers, leading over 300 crack troops, occupied a ritzy condominium in the heart of Makati City’s business district, complaining of rampant corruption in the military.

They accused the military leadership of selling ammunition to rebel groups, among other allegations. Mrs. Arroyo threatened to use force if the mutineers didn’t give up.

As hundreds of government troops, backed by armored vehicles, surrounded the complex, the standoff ended after hours of negotiations. Since then Mrs. Arroyo has vowed to pursue reforms in the military to eliminate corruption. — With Marichu Villanueva