Enrile wants alleged PNP 'bid-rigging' probed

Amid the helicopter controversy, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on Tuesday said there is a need to look into alleged "bid-rigging" that is happening within the Philippine National Police (PNP). During Tuesday's Senate inquiry into the alleged misrepresentations in the PNP's 2009 helicopter purchase, Enrile said reports submitted to him by PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo indicated that there is always a failure of bidding in the procurements of the agency. "Evidently this is a technique that has been used (by) the police previously to allow negotiations with people favored to supply equipment," he said. "Nobody bids, nobody qualifies. I think we better look into this system," he added. Enrile specifically cited the supply contract awarded to Manila Aerospace Trading Corporation (MAPTRA), which sold one new Robinson R44 Raven II and the two pre-owned Robinson R44 Raven I helicopters to the PNP for P104.985 million in 2009. Enrile said the difference between the proposal of MAPTRA and the other bidders was only P2,000 but the contract was awarded to MAPTRA, which sold them old choppers as brand new. On Tuesday, Lion Air president Archibald Legaspi Po confirmed that former First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo was the previous owner of the choppers that were sold as brand new to the PNP in 2009. Last month, Mr. Arroyo denied selling used choppers to the PNP in 2009. — Kim Tan/RSJ, GMA News