THE Department of National Defense (DND) has signed an agreement with a former group of soldiers that rebelled against the Arroyo administration to monitor the projects of the DND, including those for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Undersecretary Fernando Manalo, representing the DND, signed the memorandum of understanding with Segundino Orfiano, president of the Samahang Magdalo Inc. for the latter’s group to sit as an independent observer in the DND’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC).
Previously, the Coalition Against Corruption (CAC), acted as a third- party observer within the BAC.
The CAC questioned one of the DND’s projects, the acquisition of P1.7 billion worth of armor vest for the Army and the Marines, after defense officials moved to entertain the bid of the second-lowest bidder.
CAC members include the following: Ateneo School of Government; the Makati Business Club; the Transparency and Accountability Network; and, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. Leaders of these groups believed the lowest bidder should get the project.
The DND is currently attempting to modernize the military by acquiring billions of pesos worth of helicopters, vessels, fighter jets, armaments and military hardware.
Under the deal, the DND and the Magdalo agreed to “uphold and advance the principles of good governance, particularly the promotion of transparency, competitiveness and accountability in the procurement” of projects, goods and consulting services by the DND.
As such, the Magdalo will monitor all stages of the bidding process, particularly pre-procurement and pre-bid conferences, opening of bids, post-qualification, contract awarding, special meetings, post-delivery testing, inspection and acceptance, and other procedures that may apply.
Manalo said he sees the agreement “as a timely venture” as the defense department is upgrading the capability of the Armed Forces.
He said in a statement on January 19 that the DND-BAC officials “are doing their best to fast-track acquisitions, while fully adhering to the established rules and procedures set by the law.”
“There should be nothing that will prevent you from doing your job as observers. Your responsibility is to our country and to our people,” Manalo reportedly told the officers of the Magdalo.
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