The Senate blue ribbon committee on Wednesday started looking into the alleged anomalous procurement of military weapons and equipment with an executive session upon the request of Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.
Senator Teofisto Guigona III, chairman of the committee, called for the executive session after allowing Gazmin to deliver his opening statement.
Gazmin, in his statement, thanked the committee for the opportunity to be heard on the current status of the AFP modernization program and for allowing them to clarify the negative issues affecting the procurement and acquisition of certain military equipment and armaments.
After giving an overview of the modernization program, he asked for an executive session to allow the AFP give a classified briefing on the facts and circumstances and the operational readiness and capability gaps that led to the formulation of the AFP modernization program.
“For this, we will request that it be done in an executive session so as not to jeopardize the security interest of the state,” Gazmin said.
After the executive session, the committee is expected to tackle the “acquisition projects of the AFP on protection equipment, M113 APC, and UH1D aircraft to answer queries or clarifications on matters the senators want to delve upon,” the Defense secretary said.
Anomalous procurement?
In March, senators sought a probe on the supposed anomalous procurement of 21 UH-1D combat helicopters by the Department of National Defense.
The procurement of 21 refurbished Huey helicopters by DND was allegedly tailor-fitted for a favored bidder.
The contract was reportedly awarded to Joint Venture of Rice Aircraft Services, Inc and Eagle Copters, Ltd on December 28, 2013 for a bid price of P1.25 billion.
Reports have it that the UH-1D units that were delivered by the supplier to the Philippine Air Force were non-compliant with the project contract’s Terms of Referrence. The units also reportedly have limited use due to some defects, defeating the purpose of its acquisition and prima facie wastage of taxpayer’s money.
He added that amid the delay in the completion of the turnover of the helicopters and the various violations made by the supplier, the DND made no termination of the contract and is still allowing the supplier to deliver.
The DND has already created a committee led by Undersecretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs and Strategic Concerns Pio Lorenzo Batino to investigate the alleged irregularity.
Aside from Gazmin, Batino was also present at the Senate together with DND undersecretary Fernando Manalo, chairman of the Bids and Awards Committee; Editha Santos, chief of the Defense Acquisition Office; AFP chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. and other military officials.
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