THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said it welcomes the Ombudsman’s decision concerning the alleged overpriced Department of Education (DepEd) laptops.
DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman already issued the order to fully implement the ruling of the Office of the Ombudsman concerning former and current Procurement Service (PS) and DBM officials with regard to their alleged involvement in the purchase of overpriced laptops for the DepEd.
The PS-DBM gave the assurance that it will strictly carry out the directive of the DBM Secretary to issue a suspension order for current PS-DBM officials and employees, in compliance with the Ombudsman’s order.
In August 2022, the current PS-DBM management requested the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct a separate investigation to see if there were any irregularities or violations of the law involving the procurement of the DepEd laptops.
The move, it said, is in line with Secretary Pangandaman’s order to promote reforms, establish a culture of integrity, honesty, and professionalism, and raise the bar of openness in governance within the PS-DBM, while also ensuring an unbiased investigation.