The Department of Justice – Office for Competition (DOJ-OFC) underscored the importance of vigilance, transparency, and accountability in public procurement as it convened a two-day online orientation workshop aimed at strengthening participants’ ability to detect bid rigging and other anti-competitive practices.
DOJ Undersecretary Atty. Ian Dato
Titled “Maging Mapanuri sa Bidding: Orientation-Workshop on How to Spot Bidding-Biddingan at Pershing Sabwatan,” the session gathered government personnel and procurement practitioners to identify red flags in bidding processes and reinforce fair competition in government contracts, including bid rigging and “pershing sabwatan,” referring to coordinated bidding or price-fixing practices.
Leading the workshop was DOJ Undersecretary Atty. Ian Dato, who emphasized the need to protect public resources and uphold integrity in procurement.
“Every peso of public funds represents the trust and hard work of the Filipino people. We cannot allow corruption, collusion, and unfair practices to undermine programs and projects intended to serve our communities.”
He noted that bid rigging goes beyond legal violations, calling it a betrayal of public trust, with impacts ultimately felt by the public.
Dato also highlighted the broader purpose of the initiative in strengthening governance systems, particularly by helping procurement stakeholders better recognize risks and uphold ethical standards in public bidding.
“This initiative reflects our shared commitment to transparency, accountability, and fair competition in governance. By strengthening awareness and promoting ethical procurement practices, we take another step toward a cleaner and more responsive public service,” he concluded.
The workshop is part of DOJ-OFC’s continuing efforts to promote integrity in government procurement.
