CONGRESS WANTS ‘NO STONE LEFT UNTURNED’ IN PROBE ON ANOMALOUS PROCUREMENT OF 13 HEAVY EQUIPMENT WORTH P150M IN TAYABAS, QUEZON

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano wanted no stone left unturned as he initiated the congressional inquiry on Monday (29 July 2024) into the alleged anomalous procurement of 13 heavy pieces of equipment worth P150 million in Tayabas, Quezon.

Paduano, chair of the House Committee on Public Accounts, led the inquiry, in aid of legislation, filed by House Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, on the alleged anomalous procurement and importation of heavy equipment in Tayabas, Quezon, for the implementation of its comprehensive barangay road network development program.

“Initially, nakita natin na talagang may problema sa procurement, pero wala pang final. Hindi pa ito conclusive,” said Paduano in an ambush interview, adding that he will schedule another set of hearings on the case to further deepen their probe.

This developed as Paduano assailed the Commission on Audit (CoA) for their lack of action in the said questioned procurement. 

“Kayo ang mandated at kayo ang dapat sumasagot dito. Kayo ang inaasahan ng gobyerno,” said Paduano to COA officials for their failure to comply with the request of the committee.

Meanwhile, Paduano also cautioned Tayabas Mayor Maria Lourdes Pontioso for claiming that the investigation was believed to be politically motivated and the handiwork of her political nemesis.

“I caution you, Mayor, wala pong pulitika dito. Hindi ko kayo kilala wala akong kakilala sa inyo. Ang iniimbestigahan natin dito ay ang interes ng mga taga-Tayabas,” Paduano averred.

For his part, Quezon City 4th District Rep. Marvin Rillo also assailed the local government of Tayabas for allowing the transaction and paying the said amount without inspection of the heavy equipment.

In his sponsorship speech, Tulfo said that the anomalous procurement was referred to him by residents and some officials of Tayabas, prompting him to file House Resolution No. 1657 to investigate the case.

“We received a report that heavy equipment approximately worth a staggering P150 million was procured by the Tayabas LGU without complying with government procurement laws, rules, and regulations,” Tulfo said in his sponsorship speech.

“The heavy equipment was allegedly delivered to and fully paid for by the LGU despite discrepancies in its documents, without prior inspection and acceptance, and despite defects and noncompliance with the specifications of the project,” the lawmaker added.

Worse, Tulfo also said, the equipment has not been used and is left to rust, showing a blatant waste of public funds.

“If there are loopholes in the government procurement system, we have to find ways here to plug them so they may never be abused again,” Tulfo noted. 

During the inquiry, the local government of Tayabas, led by its mayor, reiterated that the said procurement was above board.

(el Amigo/mnm)