NPO execs ask DOJ to probe contractor

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has been asked to investigate businessman Guillermo Sylianteng Jr. for allegedly harassing officials and employees of National Printing Office (NPO) with various administrative and criminal suits after losing his bid for a government contract.

In a letter, a group of NPO officers sought the help of Secretary Leila de Lima and asked her to conduct background check on Sylianteng.

They specifically called on the DOJ to investigate if there are pending cases against Sylianteng and if he pays his taxes properly. They also urged the DOJ to check on his citizenship and his right to do business in the country.

“What we are just requesting… is fairness in finding out the real status of Sylianteng – if he is a Filipino or a foreigner – and if his businesses in the country are legal,” the letter read.

The group also asked the DOJ chief to order the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into the possibility that the businessman, who is reportedly a blacklisted contractor, has links with forgery syndicates.

The group submitted to the DOJ documents to back up their accusation against Sylianteng, owner of Ready Forms.

The move was an apparent retaliation of NPO officials who were dismissed from service due to several cases initiated by Sylianteng, purportedly after losing a bid for a contract.

“Sylianteng has also successfully kicked out many government employees through baseless cases, which had prospered due to his self-proclaimed influence in our courts,” the group alleged.

They also told De Lima that the businessman was blacklisted from participating in government projects and was implicated by the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission for bribing a government official in exchange for a printing contract.