On the Use of DPWH Website Data and the Filing of a Procurement Complaint

We wish to clarify our position regarding the procurement complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman concerning projects implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region VI.

As certified procurement specialists duly accredited by the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB), we are trained and authorized to evaluate procurement transactions in accordance with Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

The data cited in our complaint were obtained from the official DPWH website, a government-managed platform operating under the principles of transparency and public accountability as mandated by law. These records are publicly accessible and intended to inform citizens and stakeholders of government procurement activities.

Our analysis, conducted using our technical knowledge and procurement training, revealed potential irregularities, including repeated contract awards to an underperforming contractor and apparent negative slippages on high-value infrastructure projects. These findings were reported not out of malice or personal vendetta, but in the legitimate exercise of our professional responsibility and civic duty to uphold transparency and promote good governance.

We emphasize that:
1. The complaint was filed in good faith, with legal basis and supporting data;
2. The content shared in public forums and on Zoom press conference was factual, issue-focused, and made in the public interest;
3. No fabricated or malicious statements were issued against any individual;
4. Our actions are consistent with the constitutional right to freedom of expression and the right to petition the government for redress of grievances.

We reject and denounce any attempt to silence or harass watchdogs, professionals, or citizens through retaliatory legal actions. Such acts may constitute a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP)—a misuse of legal remedies intended to suppress the lawful exercise of civic oversight.

We remain committed to the principles of transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. Transparency is not harassment. Scrutiny is not defamation. Public participation is not a crime.