News Roundup 03 July 2023
Jul 03, 2023 • 5 min Read
OVP bypassed procurement laws in rush to build satellite offices – COA | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Vice President did not fully comply with the country’s procurement laws when it purchased new equipment for its satellite offices in 2022, the Commission on Audit has found.
In its 2022 audit report on the OVP, state auditors flagged the OVP’s procurement of P668,197-worth of equipment, which was paid through reimbursement of officials’ personal cash.
The OVP resorted to making purchases through reimbursement due to its decision to immediately open its satellite offices even if it did not yet have enough equipment to operate, COA noted.
“As per inquiry, the immediate establishment of (satellite offices) were made due to Management’s intention to immediately expand services offered by OVP to various provinces. However, controls to ensure that government resources were utilized as intended and prevented from loss should also be considered,” the report stated.
Although state auditors noted that the OVP purchased items with the lowest price in the market, its failure to comply with Republic Act 9184 and its implementing guidelines “defeats the purpose of the Procurement Law, which is to standardize and to improve transparency in the procurement process.”
Full Story at: OVP bypassed procurement laws in rush to build satellite offices – COA | Philstar.com
DOT terminates tourism branding campaign contract with DDB Philippines after use of stock footage | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism on Monday terminated its tourism branding campaign contract with DDB Philippines, the advertising agency behind the “Love the Philippines” campaign launched last week and that has been criticized for its content and for the use of stock footage from tourist destinations abroad.
What went before
This development came days after the Philippine office of multinational DDB Worldwide was accused of using non-original or stock footage that was taken from other countries in a video that was eyed to promote the Philippines. It also came almost a week since the DOT launched the “enhanced” tourism campaign “Love the Philippines” during its 50th anniversary last June 27.
“Love the Philippines,” created by DDB, replaced the eleven-year-old tourism slogan “It’s More Fun in the Philippines.” Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said the DOT spent P49 million for the entire study, including the logo creation and other components of the branding campaign.
Last Saturday, the DOT said it was investigating the allegations raised by the video played at the campaign launch.
It said that no public funds have been paid for the video under scrutiny and that it repeatedly sought confirmation from DDB on the originality and ownership of all materials contained in the AVP and key visuals to the new campaign.
DDB confirmed that no funds were paid or will be paid for the AVP and apologized to the DOT, Frasco and the Filipino people for this, saying it does not align with the agency’s objectives.
“The AVP in question, uploaded by the agency on social media was intended to be a mood video to excite internal stakeholders about the campaign. It is important to note that the AVP was produced by DDB Philippines at its own expense, and no public funds were released or would be released, to fund the video. This was a DDB initiative to help pitch the slogan,” the marketing agency said.
Full Story at: DOT terminates tourism branding campaign contract with DDB Philippines after use of stock footage | Philstar.com
Over 200,000 supporters of Albay gov hold prayer rally to protest disqualification | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — More than 20,000 supporters of embattled Albay Gov. Noel Rosal convened at Sawangan Park in Legazpi, Albay to protest against a disqualification order issued by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
The rally was aimed to petition for the governor’s reinstatement.
In September 2022, Rosal was disqualified by the Comelec for an alleged violation of the Omnibus Election Code related to the release of public funds during the 45-day campaign spending ban.
Rosal filed a motion for reconsideration with the Comelec, but it was subsequently denied due to the lack of compelling reasons for reversal. A certificate of finality was issued as no orders from the Supreme Court (SC) were received to overturn the decision.
The Comelec First Division, in conjunction with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, issued a writ of execution for Rosal to vacate his position and peacefully hand over power to Albay Vice Governor Edcel Lagman Jr.
Led by Fr. Willy Alvarado, supporters of the governor expressed their disappointment with the decision through a prayer rally, asserting that the electoral body should uphold the people’s vote.
Full Story at: Over 200,000 supporters of Albay gov hold prayer rally to protest disqualification | Inquirer News
DSWD kicks off ‘Oplan Pag-Abot’ to get homeless off the streets | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday kicked off the full implementation of “Oplan Pag-Abot,” a project that aims to get street dwellers off the roads and into the agency’s custody.
Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian himself went and reached out to families and persons living along Macapagal and Roxas Boulevards in Pasay City.
“Ngayong unang araw ng expanded reach out operations, minabuti natin na sumama sa reach-out para ma-monitor ang proseso,” Gatchalian said.
(For today’s expanded reach-out operations, we decided to join to monitor the standard operating procedure.)
Gatchalian spoke to and convinced families to go with the DSWD, where they can be provided with livelihood opportunities once they return to their home provinces. Other assistance available to the homeless were relocation aid, support packages, transitory shelter assistance and more.
Full Story at: DSWD kicks off ‘Oplan Pag-Abot’ to get homeless off the streets | Inquirer News
