Trillanes proposes video recording of all procurement proceedings

Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV seeks to strengthen the government's procurement system and stop corruption by requiring agencies to video tape all proceedings related to procurement.

In Senate Bill No. 179, the senator said video recording the meetings and proceedings of the bids and awards committee (BAC) will help thwart potential attempts to rig the procurement process.

"It is high time that we use video recording in all the procurement transactions of the government to prevent corruption issues like the anomalous purchase of helicopters by the PNP (Philippine National Police) officials," Trillanes said.

Trillanes lamented that after eight years since putting in place Republic Act No. 9184, or the Government Procurement Act "the procurement system is still plagued with collusion, abuse of discretionary criteria and other forms of corruption."

In his proposed legislation, the senator wants to include a provision mandating the video recording of all procurement-related conferences.

To enhance transparency, Trillanes said, video recording should cover all procurement-related proceedings but not limited to pre-procurement conference, pre-bid conference and all meetings of the BAC for all projects worth P1 million and above.

The bill also specifies that recording must take a close-up shot of all those present in the conference and that members of the BAC, prospective and/or qualified bidders, representatives from the Commission on Audit (COA) and the two invited observers who shall be introduced one by one.

In cases of legal disputes and investigations, the video records may be subject to subpeoena duces tecum and may used as evidence in court or any proceedings when appropriate.

Violations of the said provisions shall be meted out penalties prescribed under articles XXI, XXII, and XIII of the Government Procurement Act. In addition, the bill seeks to nullify the bid that has been awarded in favor of the errant party.

"The public deserves nothing less but the highest standards of transparency and honesty in the execution of government policies. We shall always carry out the provisions of the Constitution to implement a policy of full public disclosure in all transactions involving public interest," Trillanes emphasized.

The proposed bill is part of Triallanes' continuing advocacy towards a clean and transparent government. It will be recalled that Trillanes was incarcerated for more than seven and a half years for speaking out against the widespread corruption during the Arroyo administration.