By Chito Chavez The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has vowed to dutifully perform its assigned task of supervising the procurement of equipment of the Philippine National Police (PNP) after President Duterte removed procurement power from the latter on suspicion of corrupt activities. DILG undersecretary and spokesman Jonathan Malaya
(PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) In compliance with the President’s order of a corrupt-free procurement process, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año is studying how the directive can be implemented. “Secretary Eduardo Año has directed our lawyers to study the matter and to make their recommendations to him on how it can be implemented without unduly delaying the procurement timetable of the PNP. “We will comply with the directive of the President and assure him that henceforth the DILG will closely review the procurement of the PNP,” said DILG Undersecretary and spokesman Jonathan Malaya. He said the PNP already apologized to Duterte for the “glaring but honest mistakes” in their presentation about the procurement of speed detection systems during the recent command conference of the police and the military which the President chaired. "We believe it was an honest mistake," Malaya said, adding that the PNP has conducted all its procurement transactions properly and in accordance with law in the last two years. “The PNP unfortunately used a wrong term in their presentation to the President. They used the term “laser speed gun,” but according to PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. (Archie) Gamboa, what they were referring to or requesting is the micro-digital photo/video laser tech speed system being used now by advanced countries like the U.S. and Israel, costing on the average about P1 million per system. It can capture up to 15,000 images of moving vehicles and build a database,” he said. Malaya noted that the PNP wanted to procure the latest equipment to curb over-speeding and drunk driving on highways and public roads, so it requested clearance from the President to procure speed detection systems, breath analyzers, and mobile weighing scales. Malaya explained that the procurement process has not begun yet and no funds have been disbursed. “It’s still in the pre-procurement stage and they were just asking clearance from the President.” He said Gamboa has submitted their explanation to the President with deep regret for the glaring mistake in their presentation that was not properly reviewed. Malaya also noted that PNP best practices in procurement transactions over several years has resulted in huge savings for the government and improved operational capacity of PNP units equipped with better acquired mission-essential tools, mobile assets, and resources. With this new authority from the President, the DILG assured the public that they will be vigilant in reviewing the procurement activities of the PNP. “The DILG under Secretary Año will never allow corruption in the PNP and takes seriously the internal-cleansing program,” Malaya said. He added that the PNP has a very good record of procurement for the last three years, with absorptive capacity of 98 percent and no protests from proponents or watchdogs.