Officials in laptop deal no longer in DepEd, DBM
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Saturday said it will fully cooperate with the Ombudsman in investigating the purchase of P2.4 billion worth of laptop computers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement sent to reporters, DepEd confirmed it was informed of the Ombudsman’s resolution to file charges against former Education Secretary Leonor Briones and other officials involved in the procurement.
“The officials subject of the charges no longer hold any position in or maintain any connection with the Department,” the statement read.
But DepEd reiterated its “full commitment to cooperate with the Office of the Ombudsman in the expeditious and fair resolution of this case.”
“The Department is ready to provide all necessary documents, information, and other forms of assistance to ensure accountability and to protect the public’s interest.”
It was the same situation in the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), which said on Saturday that all Procurement Service (PS) officials implicated in the purchase are no longer in office.
The former DBM officials implicated in the purchase were former Lloyd Christopher Lao, Jasonmer Uayan, Ulysses Mora, Marwan Amil and Paul Armand Estrada.
DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman pledged her full cooperation with the Ombudsman, following its decision to file graft charges against former officials of the PS-DBM.
DBM pledge
“We respectfully acknowledge the Ombudsman’s decision and are committed to supporting their legal proceedings. Transparency is our priority at the DBM. Therefore, should the Office of the Ombudsman require any assistance related to this matter, we will fully cooperate,” Pangandaman said in a statement.
“Under its current leadership, the DBM is actively reforming and digitalizing the country’s procurement system to enhance accountability, transparency, and efficiency.”
In 2022, the Commission on Audit flagged the Department of Education’s purchase of more than 39,000 laptops priced at P58,300 each through the PS-DBM.
The Ombudsman, in a 106-page resolution dated July 4, found probable cause to charge Briones and other officials for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, falsification and perjury, in connection with the purchase of outdated and overpriced laptops in 2021. —WITH A REPORT FROM PNA
