Duterte warns ‘golf course’ syndicate

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — President Duterte gave a stern warning to the so-called “golf course” syndicate involved in anomalous biddings of government projects.

The President said there are many people involved in the syndicate who usually hang out and play in golf courses where business deals are sometimes closed with erring government officials.  

But the President was also quick to point out that “true blue contractors” do projects  in good faith and are not involved in the said syndicate. 

“There is a group of idiots going around just playing golf. Naghihintay lang ‘yan ng (they are just waiting), if there is a call for a bidding to submit. Tapos ‘yan sila, mag-dive ng husto ‘yan. Sindikato ‘yan eh (then they will dive their bids, they’re a syndicate),” Duterte said after arriving at the Davao International Airport before dawn yesterday from a trip to India.

The President said he is communicating directly with those involved in this syndicate. 

He said “four or five contractors or pretending to be contractors” get together when there is a project to be bidded out, “tapos ida-dive nila ‘yan (then they dive the bid price),” adding that corruption is surely involved there.  

The syndicate would bid for a P100-million project and the one who wins with the lowest bid would then give out money to their cohorts, including the engineers at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Aside from DPWH officials, the syndicate also reportedly gives to the members of a local or city council especially when there is land conversion involved. 

Also irked by reports that some government projects were delayed due to corruption issues, Duterte had also directed the DPWH to make sure that projects are completed within a month.

He also warned DPWH contractors that their contracts would be cancelled if they fail to complete their projects on time.

He noted that delay in the projects is often the cause of corruption. 

“I am ordering DPWH to tell the contractors to complete it within 30 days. Pag hindi (if not), I will give it to another contractor, cancel the contract and sue you,” he said, adding that he would only allow a delay of one month.

Duterte also called on the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to make sure that the local government units toe the line in making sure that projects are completed on time.

“I will remind everybody through the DILG, through the mayors that there should be no open holes or canals everywhere. And I’m giving everybody in government only 30 days,” he said.

Serious in the fight against corruption, Duterte again sounded off his displeasure about government’s policy on awarding contract to the lowest bidders. 

He said this policy spawns corruption that leads to low quality or low standard project execution.

“So, henceforth, all projects of the Philippines would be something like a Swiss challenge. If I want a building, if I want a highway, if I want railroads built, ipakita ko sa inyo (I will show them to you), there would be an open space for everybody,” Duterte said.