MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte had removed the power of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to procure equipment following his discovery it had procured grossly overpriced traffic radars.
“Nagalit ako kagabi. Tinawagan ko si General Año. Sabi ko: Tanggalin mo ‘yang procurement. Hindi na maka-procure ang pulis.” Duterte said in a speech to the members of the Philippine Marine Corps in Taguig City Monday, adding he had stopped the PNP from procuring traffic radars priced at P950,000 per unit.
The Chief Executive also said he had delegated the procurement for PNP equipment to Interior Secretary Eduardo Año.
“Tinawagan ko si Secretary Año. Sabi ko ‘Do not allow the police to procure. Ang opisina mo na ang mag-procure,” President Duterte said. “I may be wrong. Pero, certainly, P950,000 radar is just stupid because ‘yung sa Davao P10,000 lang.”
Duterte also said that he expects no corruption in the procurement with Año at the helm.
He warned other government agencies against using public funds for personal gain.
“It’s a warning, lahat ng mga opisina. If you will keep f***** the people’s money, I will remove the procurement powers sa inyong office,” President Duterte said.
Duterte also threatened to establish a Bureau of Supply similar to the one established during the term of former President Ferdinand Marcos.
“I will establish… There was this Bureau of Supply,” he said. “Gusto ko ilista lahat. ‘Yung tractor kung ano gusto mong putang inang bilhin, eroplano. ‘Yung international pricing para malaman ko kaagad.”/PN
