AT the resumption of the House inquiry into the fire truck procurement process of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Thursday, Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez reiterated the need for public officials to observe integrity at all times in their transactions as provided for in the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards.
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Order and Safety, chaired by Fernandez, is conducting the inquiry by virtue of House Resolution 724.
Fernandez asked the BFP for updates on the investigation on then BFP Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) technical working group (TWG) chairperson Supt. Jan Garry Lunas. Lunas allegedly purchased a sports utility vehicle (SUV) from Eric Taguines, an employee of F. Cura Industries, the winning bidder in one of the fire truck procurement projects.
Fire Chief Supt. Jesus Fernandez, who headed the internal probe, reported that Lunas has been relieved from his post as BAC TWG head.
According to Fire Director Louie Puracan, BFP chief, Lunas is still working with the BFP because no prima facie evidence was found to show that he influenced the agency’s procurement bidding process since decisions of the TWG are always subject to the final review of the whole BAC.
However, the BFP will be filing an administrative case against Lunas for not declaring the said SUV in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth.
ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro said the BFP would be naive to not see the link of the “No Contact” Rule violation to the bidding process. She requested that Lunas and Taguines be invited in the next hearing.
The panel also requested the BFP to submit the documents related to its four ongoing procurement projects.
FCSupt. Fernandez also shared that, pursuant to the committee’s proposals, the BFP removed the restrictive qualifications irrelevant to ensure product quality in its bidding requirements.
