Nilinaw ni Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Thomas Orbos na napakikinabangan ang biniling 18 pre-owned motorcycle na ginamit noong Papal Visit at APEC meeting dalawang taon na ang nakalilipas.
“We should remember that funds for the purchase of new motorcycles were released by the DBM on January 12, 2015, only 3 days before the arrival of Pope Francis on January 15, 2015, the previous MMDA administration salvaged what could have been a national embarrassment, purchasing second-hand motorcycles which is allowed by National Budget Circular 446-A and various Government Procurement Policy Board Resolutions,” pahayag ni Orbos sa isang panayam sa radyo.
Ayon kay dating MMDA Assistant Manager Edenison Fainsan, “There were no available stocks of big police motor bikes to fit the needs of the Papal Visit and APEC meetings.”
Ayon sa mga legal observer, ang terminong “emergency” na tinalakay ng MMDA dahil sa matagal na paglabas ng pondo ng DBM ay tinukoy sa COA Circular No. 85-55A bilang “an activity which cannot be delayed causing detriment to the public service.”
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Ipinagdiinan din ni Orbos na kahit piso ay walang ginastos ang gobyerno para sa pagbili ng mga motorsiklo at mismong si dating MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino ay nag-donate.
At dahil walang ginastos ang pamahalaan, ayon kay Fainsan, ang pagbili sa mga nasabing motorsiklo ay hindi sakop ng procurement law.
