MANILA — Two bidders for the M’Lang Airport Development Project of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) were arrested Wednesday for falsifying public documents during the opening of bids for the project.
In a news release issued Thursday, the DOTr said representatives of Granby Trading and Construction and Kwan Sing Construction were asked to submit a list of equipment that their companies will pledge as part of the contract.
However, upon careful evaluation, the technical working group (TWG) of the DOTr Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) discovered that the two companies submitted similar Land Transportation Office documents.
The Certificates of Registration for the vehicles showed different company details, but some reflected same registration dates and chassis numbers, the DOTr said.
It was also discovered that both companies authorized the same person, Alexander Ullani, to drop the bidding documents and represent the companies, hinting at a possible conspiracy.
Meanwhile, Raymundo Vargas Sr., who claimed that he was representing Granby Trading and Construction on behalf of a colleague, was not allowed to represent the company due to lack of authorization. He was allowed to stay as witness to the proceeding.
Ullani and Vargas denied that they knew each other. However, a TWG member who could understand Ilocano overheard the two speaking in the vernacular and that their conversation hinted that they did.
When both bids were opened, the TWG noted that the bidding documents had the same format and showed several similar details.
“What these people did was an insult to the institution. Our government does not deserve to be treated this way. Ang lalakas ng loob na lokohin ang gobyerno, pero sinasabi ko sa inyo, hindi uubra ‘yan sa amin. Gusto namin ipakita na mabilis tayong umaksyon at mag-desisyon pagdating sa mga ganyang bagay (They have the gall to trick the government but I’m telling you, that won’t work on us. We want to show that we are quick to act and decide when it comes to such matters),” Assistant Secretary for Procurement and Vice Chairman of the DOTr-BAC Giovanni Lopez said.
The DOTr-BAC called the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) police to the DOTr Central Office in Clark to handle the situation. Ullani and Vargas were then turned over to the Mabalacat Police where they were charged with falsification of public documents and detained. Inquest proceedings are ongoing.
“Let this be a warning to individuals and companies who think they can fool the government and then get away with it. Ibahin niyo po kami. Kung akala nila makakalusot, nagkakamali sila (We’re different. If they think they can get away with it, they’re wrong),” Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs and Chairman of the DOTr-BAC Mark Steven Pastor said. (DOTr PR/PNA)
