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DepEd: Filing of raps over ‘pricey’ laptop purchase up to OSG

By Stephanie Sevillano

February 20, 2023, 6:09 pm

<p><em>DepEd file photo</em></p>

DepEd file photo

MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday said it will refer to the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) the filing of charges against officials and personnel involved in the alleged overpriced laptop procurement.

In a Viber message, DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa assured that they are ready to receive the official report of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. This is still in relation to DepEd's laptop purchase through the Procurement Service – Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) in 2021.

"The filing of cases against past and present officials of the DepEd, as recommended by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, will be referred to the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for evaluation and appropriate action," Poa said.

He also assured that the DepEd has acted "immediately" on the legal measures needed to be done against allegedly erring officials and personnel.

"There is a pending administrative case against one DepEd employee involved in the procurement," he added.

The Senate committee has earlier recommended the filing of graft raps against several incumbent and former officials of the DepEd and PS-DBM.

Also included on the recommended charges are falsification of public documents and perjury.

Following months of investigation, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee recommended the recovery of the alleged overpriced amount of at least PHP979 million with accrued interest and damage.

Meanwhile, the DepEd said it is also looking into another set of laptops being sold in Cebu.

"The department is now coordinating with relevant law enforcement agencies to apprehend the perpetrators," Poa said.

The DepEd confirmed the reported selling of these laptops in a surplus store, which were originally purchased for the DepEd Computerization Program. (PNA)

 

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