PROBE INTO P680M  RICE PURCHASE IN BARM SOUGHT

SOME residents of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have sought for an investigation into the alleged anomalous purchase of rice worth P680 million by the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government in 2024.

The complainants’ sworn statements were sent to the Office of the Ombudsman-Mindanao, Office of the President, Senate, Office of the Speaker-BARMM and the Commission on Audit.

According to the complainants, whose names were withheld to protect themselves, the transactions allegedly violated procurement laws, transparency standards, and fiscal responsibility.

They alleged that all contracts for the purchased rice went to a single supplier – the JB Pharma & Trade Center – a pharmaceutical distributor —  which the complainants said does not have the capacity to supply agricultural products.

The complainants further alleged that in just one transaction, the government lost P15 million due to the award of the contract to JB Pharma even there was a lowest bidder — a legitimate supplier of agricultural products.

According to the complainants, the rice purchased was allegedly very expensive at P60 per kilo while its market price is P45.

They also said the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government also allegedly allowed the purchase of the said rice on July 24, 2024 using the 2023 MILG-READI Fund worth P100.325 million even though there was no declaration of calamity.

According to the complainants, no rice arrived using the said budget and no distribution was made.

The complainants added that another major issue against the ministry is the division of contracts or contract splitting to avoid bidding, which is against the law.