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The chairperson of the technical working group for the Bureau of Fire Protection’s bids and awards committee has been relieved from his post.


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VIVIENNE GULLA

ABS-CBN News

<p>The chairperson of the technical working group for the Bureau of Fire Protection’s bids and awards committee has been relieved from his post, following allegations of irregularity in the bidding of fire trucks. </p><p>During Thursday’s inquiry of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety into the alleged “restrictive and questionable” fire truck procurement process, BFP Acting Deputy Chief for Administration FCSupt. Jesus Fernandez told the panel that FSupt. Garry Lunas was transferred from heading the TWG to a directorate of BFP’s National Headquarters.</p><p>It was disclosed in a panel hearing last December that Lunas supposedly purchased a sports utility vehicle from an employee of a bidder that bagged three contracts for BFP’s fire truck procurement. The SUV, however, remains registered under the name of the winning bidder’s employee.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/23/23/bfp-denies-alleged-irregularities-in-fire-truck-bidding" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BFP denies alleged irregularities in fire truck bidding, procurement</a></div><p>The BFP, however, asserted there is “no prima facie” evidence that this influenced its procurement process, based on the investigation of its Internal Affairs Service.</p><p>“Nag-focus lang kami doon sa may effect ba ang pagiging assignment niya as TWG doon sa results ng procurement process, kung may irregularity bang involved in the procurement process. Hindi namin siya ma-pin down doon, dahil ‘yung function niya as TWG is subject for approval and subject for review ng bids and awards committee,” BFP Chief Louie Puracan told the panel.</p><p>1-RIDER Party List Rep. Bonifacio Bosita questioned the findings.</p><p>“Kung after investigation, sinasabi ninyo na wala siyang administrative offense or violation, ibabalik n’yo siya o hindi?” he asked.</p><p>“Hindi na your honor, kasi we have discretionary powers naman as superior officers over subordinates. Doon na talaga namin siya i-a-assign. Hindi na namin siya ibabalik,” Puracan replied.</p><p>“Kung walang offense, bakit hindi ibabalik?” Bosita pressed.</p><p>“Whether we like it or not, may taint na doon sa assignment niya. Hindi lang talaga namin ma-prove na may effect ‘yung pagiging assignment niya as TWG,” Puracan answered.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/21/22/solons-seek-probe-into-ph-fire-truck-procurement-process" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Makabayan bloc seeks probe into PH fire truck procurement process</a></div><p>“Hindi n’yo ibabalik kasi naniniwala kayo, kwestyunable na,” Bosita told Puracan. </p><p>“Ang naging issue rito ay ‘yung integrity nitong inyong TWG, dahil kung titingnan natin, kung head ka ng TWG, bumili ka ng sasakyan sa empleyado ng laging panalong bidder, mahirap ipaliwanag ‘yun, kasi pwede ka namang sa ibang car owner bumili,” he added.</p><p>“Mukha ngang hindi bilihan ‘yan eh. Dahil sabi niya installment. Magkano ang monthly, depende. Payable when able. Doon palang ma-e-establish na ninyo, may administrative offense ‘yan. Hindi dapat natin ginagawa ‘yun eh,” Bosita said. </p><p>House Committee on Public Order and Safety Chairperson Rep. Dan Fernandez and ACT Teachers Party List Rep. France Castro also raised doubts on the results of BFP’s investigation. </p><p>“Nakakadismaya lang that after finding all these problems besetting your agency, we’re trying to help sa inyong problema, dahil mayroon tayong nakitang mga taong ganyan, pero still, hindi kayo nag-file ng administrative case at wala kayong nakitang prima facie. Parang we can somehow, nakikita namin na parang mas lalalim ito. Pino-proteksyunan n’yo ‘yung tao ninyo… Somehow, we will be trying to think, behind our minds that there is collusion,” Rep. Fernandez said.</p><p>“You have to be strict on the code of ethics, ‘yung highest form of integrity, tapos ‘yung conflict of interest… and any form of influence. Don’t you think there will be a form of influence by buying a car from the company itself that won several bids?” he added.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/08/28/23/truck-nahulog-sa-kanal-ng-binahang-kalsada-sa-batangas">Truck nahulog sa kanal ng binahang diversion road sa Lemery, Batangas</a></div><p>“Napaka-naïve naman natin sabihin na walang relasyon, walang personal interest sa nangyaring bilihan ng sasakyan, at walang effect ‘yun sa nangyaring bidding process,” Castro, for her part, said.</p><p>The BFP told lawmakers it is conducting another investigation into the allegations against Lunas.</p><p>“‘Yung investigation namin on the IAS is… doon kami nag-focus sa may effect ba ang assignment niya as TWG doon sa results ng procurement process, which is nakita naming hindi. Iba ito sa may irregularity ba, may pananagutan ba siya sa pagbili ng sasakyan na hindi pa nakalipat sa pangalan niya at na-declare niya sa SALN niya,” Puracan said.</p><p>The House panel will invite Lunas to appear in the next hearing.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div>

<p>The chairperson of the technical working group for the Bureau of Fire Protection’s bids and awards committee has been relieved from his post.</p>

The chairperson of the technical working group for the Bureau of Fire Protection’s bids and awards committee has been relieved from his post.

BFP fire truck bidding TWG chair transferred amid allegations of irregularity

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BFP fire truck bidding TWG chair transferred amid allegations of irregularity

VIVIENNE GULLA,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 01, 2024 06:46 PM PHT

Read More:

Bureau of Fire Protection

ANC Promo

House of Representatives

House Committee on Public Order and Safety

Bidding

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