CHED chair accused of bias in P130-M construction bidding

The chairman of the Commission on Higher Education Bids and Awards Committee has accused CHED officer-in-charge Dr. Carlito Puno of harassment and of favoring a contractor for the construction of the Higher Education Development Center (HEDC) building which is estimated to cost P130 million.

In a recent interview with reporters, CHED BAC chairman Dr. William Medrano said Puno threatened to file charges against him and some members of the CHED BAC after accusing the committee of not complying with the government procurement law or Republic Act 9184.

Medrano said Puno exerted pressure on the BAC, a supposedly independent body, by writing Medrano a memorandum seeking "clarification concerning the BAC’s performance in undertaking the process of procurement" in relation to the HEDC building project.

In the memorandum, Puno asked Medrano to explain within 48 hours why no administrative charges should be filed against the CHED BAC for not undertaking detailed engineering investigations, surveys and designs; approval of the budget for the contract and other technical matters relating to project procedures.

In a written reply, Medrano submitted a detailed explanation, supported by documents, "to show that the BAC had been faithful, conscientious, thorough and diligent in adhering to the rules set forth under Republic Act 9184."

"As evidenced by the mass of documents and records, as well as actual proceedings conducted and attended by the BAC members, the BAC Secretariat, the BAC Technical Working Group, the BAC private sector representatives, the CHED Architect-Consultants, the COA representatives, and, at one point, the representatives of the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB), at no instance has the BAC compromised the (CHED’s) integrity and accountability with respect to the (HEDC) infrastructure project," Medrano said in his reply dated Oct. 27.

It was alleged that Puno wanted to favor a contractor identified only as C.B. Garay Philwide Builders, but the contractor’s spokesperson denied the accusation in a telephone interview with reporters.

Medrano said Puno is interfering with a BAC-exclusive function, explaining that the bidding process had barely begun and CHED’s role will only come into play following the final approval of the bid award.

He added that Puno was obviously trying to exert pressure on BAC, as the issues and complaint raised comes from C.B. Garay Philwide Builders.

Puno has been the center of controversy since he refused to relinquish function as CHED OIC after his term as commissioner expired and he was replaced by Commissioner Nona Ricafort last month. — Sandy Araneta