Diokno, other BSP officials ready to answer graft raps

MANILA, Philippines — Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno and six other central bank officials are ready to face the graft charges at the Office of the Ombudsman over the alleged anomalous award of a contract for the national identification (ID) system.

The BSP said in a statement it is supporting the rollout of the national ID as it is key to wider financial inclusion that promotes shared economic growth and the financial well- being of Filipinos.

“As regards the complaint filed with the Ombudsman relative to the procurement for the printing of cards for the national ID system, rest assured that the BSP officials concerned will respond in the proper forum once required in accordance with applicable rules,” the BSP said.

Diokno, who is currently on medical leave after undergoing an operation due to a minor head accident, and six other BSP officials were charged before the Office of the Ombudsman over the alleged anomalous award of P1.75-billion contract for the supply of equipment and materials for the national ID system program.

Stop Corruption Organization of the Philippines Inc. chairman Ricardo Fulgencio IV stated in the complaint that the respondents circumvented the government Procurement Law when it awarded to private firm AllCard International the contract for the supply of 116 million pieces of ID cards.

Aside from Diokno, others charged for violating Republic Act 3019 (RA) or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and RA 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act were BSP Security Plant Complex Bids and Awards Committee chairperson Prudence Angelita Kasala, BSP director Rogel Joseph Del Rosario, BSP-SPC acting production manager Carl Cesar Bibat, BSP-SPC BAC vice-chairperson Marianne Santos and BAC members Salvador Del Mundo and Giovanni Israel Joson.

President Duterte signed Republic Act 11055 or the Philippine Identification System Act mandating the establishment of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) for all citizens and resident aliens of the country.

The BSP entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in October 2019. Under the agreement, the BSP is tasked to produce 116 million pieces of Philippine IDs to be issued to all Filipinos and resident aliens registered under the PhilSys.