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Two bidders for the M’Lang Airport Development Project of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) were arrested for falsifying public documents.
During the Opening of Bids for the airport project in Cotabato yesterday afternoon, representatives of Granby Trading and Construction and Kwan Sing Construction were asked to submit a list of equipment that their companies will pledge as part of the contract.
However, upon careful evaluation, the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the DOTr Bids and Awards Committee found that the two companies submitted similar LTO documents.
The Certificates of Registration for the vehicles showed different company details, but some reflected same registration dates and chassis numbers.
It was also found that both companies authorized the same person, Alexander Ullani, to drop the bidding documents and represent the companies, hinting at a possible conspiracy.
Meanwhile, Raymundo Vargas, Sr., who claimed that he was representing Granby Trading and Construction on behalf of a colleague, was not allowed to represent the company due to lack of authorization. He was allowed to stay as witness to the proceeding.
Ullani and Vargas denied that they knew each other. However, a TWG member who could understand Ilocano overheard the two speaking in the vernacular and that their conversation hinted that they did.
When both bids were opened, the TWG noted that the bidding documents had the same format and showed several similar details.
“What these people did was an insult to the institution. Our government does not deserve to be treated this way. Ang lalakas ng loob na lokohin ang gobyerno, pero sinasabi ko sa inyo, hindi uubra ‘yan sa amin. Gusto namin ipakita na mabilis tayong umaksyon at mag-desisyon pagdating sa mga ganyang bagay,” said Assistant Secretary for Procurement and Vice Chairman of the DOTr-BAC Giovanni Lopez.
The DOTr-BAC called the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) police to the DOTr Central Office in Clark to handle the situation. Ullani and Vargas were then turned over to the Mabalacat Police were they were charged with falsification of public documents and are currently detained. Inquest proceedings are scheduled for tomorrow.
“Let this be a warning to individuals and companies who think they can fool the government and then get away with it. Ibahin niyo po kami. Kung akala nila makakalusot, nagkakamali sila,” added Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs and Chairman of the DOTr-BAC Mark Steven Pastor.
The Opening of Bids was livestreamed via the DOTr Facebook Page.
Livestreaming of all bidding processes was ordered by Secretary Arthur Tugade last year to promote transparency in government. He also required bidders to file their bids and other correspondences via e-mail to foster a fast, free, convenient and secure bidding procedure.
Here is the link to the livestreaming of bids yesterday. You may check starting 2:00:00 to see how the Bids and Awards Committee found the discrepancies:
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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