The Office of the Ombudsman is investigating an alleged “ghost internet” scheme involving outdated or fake software on the information technology systems of the government.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the fact-finding investigation will center around the Department of Information and Communications Technology.
Clavano said the probe involves the free internet connection that the government is offering in public places.
“Kasi pag tinanong mo naman yung mga tao na nakatanggap kuno ng free wifi, wala naman talagang lumalabas na wifi doon. So ang ini-install yung hardware lang, pero ang subject ng investigation, yung software. Bakit hindi gumagana iyan,” Clavano said in a press briefing.
“Parang niloloko na lang ho iyong taongbayan dahil sinasabi may free internet, free wifi, yun pala naglalagay lang sila ng mga router, mga ano na wala naman lumalabas na internet,” he added.
According to him, the alleged scheme apparently took place because once the hardware was put in place, there was no verification conducted to check the authenticity of the software that was installed.
He noted that the government pays billions of pesos for IT systems with very specific technical requirements and the necessary software.
But he said that once the machines and routers are delivered, everyone assures the software is there.
“Nobody actually checks and there comes the loophole. A contractor can install cheaper, outdated, or even fake software while still charging the government full price for the real thing,” he said.
Since nobody checks the software after the hardware is installed, the overpricing goes undetected, he added.
He said the deficiencies in the software are only found when the systems break down or “when somebody finally digs deep enough to catch it.”
He said the investigation will seek to answer four questions:
-Were the contracted sites actually installed and are they working?
-Was the government billed for connectivity and services that were never delivered?
-Were the prices of hardware, software, and services reasonable, or were they inflated?
-Who approved, certified, or released payment for projects that were not delivered?