Rody mulls revival of Marcos-era Bureau of Supply

Exasperated with corruption in the bureaucracy, President Duterte is considering the revival of a Marcos-era bureau that will monitor the government’s procurement of goods and services.

The President said he intends to create the Bureau of Supply that would compare international price differences for planned government procurement to avoid large “commissions” pocketed by crooked officials.

He noted that the Bureau of Supply was previously attached to the General Services of the Philippine Constabulary during the Marcos administration. Former President Fidel V. Ramos, whom Duterte regarded as his “favorite President,” was then the head of the constabulary.

“There is always the international pricing. Kung magbili ka ng tractor, tingnan mo lang. And it’s a matter of three or four percent mga commission-commission ‘yan pati freight. Pero kung mag-abot ng mga, ang price difference, you compare it with the international pricing and it’s about 10 or 20 percent, that’s corruption,” Duterte said during the launch of Ramos’ book at the historic landmark Manila Hotel Sunday.

“So malaman ko man, so I’m setting up that body. Nothing but tignan lang nila ‘yung mga presyo sa lahat. Start with paper clips down to paper bonds, then to chains,” he said.

The President expressed anew his dismay with corruption in government, recalling he offered to resign during a security command conference with top military and police officials.

He admitted that he was “so exasperated” with fighting corruption after uncovering anomalous transactions in government.