Politics · Philippines Bureau
PhilGEPS official denies personal knowledge of Davao's Gencorp role
A top procurement official said he has no direct knowledge of whether Davao City was involved in approving contracts for Gencorp Industries Inc., which has ties to Vice President Sara Duterte. The statement comes as scrutiny intensifies around government procurement practices.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — Rendell Sopeña, chief of the PhilGEPS Electronic Government Procurement Operations Division, testified that he lacks personal knowledge regarding Davao City's potential involvement in contract approvals for Gencorp Industries Inc., a company with reported links to Vice President Sara Duterte.
The procurement official's statement raises questions about oversight mechanisms within the government's centralized procurement system and the documentation of decision-making processes in contract awards. Sopeña's testimony suggests potential gaps in tracking which local government units play roles in contract approvals.
Gencorp Industries Inc. has been the subject of investigation following its receipt of government contracts. The connection between the company and the Vice President has drawn public attention, particularly regarding transparency in government procurement processes.
The PhilGEPS system, designed to ensure transparency and accountability in government purchasing, manages contracts across national and local government agencies. Questions about who approves specific contracts and what documentation exists remain at the center of ongoing scrutiny into procurement practices.
The matter underscores ongoing concerns about government procurement transparency and the need for comprehensive documentation of approval chains in contract awards, particularly those involving companies with high-profile connections.