The issue about 40,000 “outdated” and “expensive” laptops purchased by the Department of Education (DepEd) isn’t over yet. The latest hearing shows that there is a discrepancy in the procurement process, making the whole process probably illegal.
Former procurement director Marcelo Bragado Jr. said during the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on the laptop issue last September 15 that the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the DepEd and Procurement Service – Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) was signed on May 28, 2021. However, the invitation for bidding for the procurement happened only in May last year.
If the statement given by Bragado is true, the procurement would be defective due to the lack of Memorandum of Agreement (MoA).
According to the Senators, Bragado’s statement implies that the transaction for DepEd laptops is flawed and illegal.
“At that time, there was no MOA? In spite of the fact that we’ve been discussing this for the last two meetings, we thought, there was MOA signed as early as February 16. Is that what you’re saying? Still no MOA?” asked Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel.
“In effect, this whole procurement is defective. There’s no legal basis. We spent P2.4 billion without a MOA. They asked for quotation and filed invitation to bid without a MOA. Is that an accurate description, Atty. Bragado?” Senator Sherwin Gatchalian asked.
In response, Bragao said, “It would appear, your honor, that you are correct. Because based on the documents I have and my personal recollection, I have the MOA signed only last May 28, 2021.”
featured image courtesy of rappler
