Saying anomalies involving government-funded projects must be exposed, Malacañang on Tuesday backed the Ombudsman’s investigation of an alleged “ghost Internet” scheme involving government information technology projects.
In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace press officer Claire Castro said public funds must be translated as actual services for the public
“Sa lahat ng maanomalya na transaksiyon na kinapapalooban ng mga public officials ay dapat lamang itong maimbestigahan,” she said.
“Kung ano po ang nakikita ng Ombudsman, kung mayroong mga ebidensiya na dapat pang imbestigahan, dapat lamang pong ipagpatuloy ang lahat ng pag-iimbestiga para managot ang sinumang nang-aabuso sa kaban ng bayan at naninira, sumisira sa magandang adhikain at proyekto ng pamahalaan,” Castro added.
She said an in-depth probe is needed to identify government officials who should be held accountable for the anomaly.
Earlier, the Ombudsman began investigating claims that contractors involved in government IT systems projects used cheaper, outdated or substandard hardware and software.
There were also allegations of nonfunctional free Wi-Fi sites, which Castro said undermine the government’s digitalization initiatives.
“Kung kulang ang mga maibibigay sa ating serbisyo, hindi magiging maganda ang epekto nito. Hindi magiging effective din iyong sinasabi natin na dapat lahat konektado kasi kulang-kulang ang bibigyan na serbisyo,” she said.
Castro told contractors to deliver the systems and services covered by their contracts and not short-change Filipinos.