Carandang dubbed the 'next Imelda' over laptop deal

[Monseratto]

Coming from ABS-CBN, where the news readers show off their flashy gadgets in front of them. Hard to resist...

abs-cbnNEWS.com
08/05/2011



MANILA, Philippines - A critic of the Aquino government on Friday likened Secretary Ricky Carandang of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) to Imelda Marcos for buying expensive laptops worth P67,000 each.

Fernando Hicap, chairman of the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), said that instead of buying Apple laptops worth P67,000 each, Carandang should just buy other brands of laptops worth P20,000 to P30,000 per unit.

"If Mr. Carandang only checked the internet, there are a lot of brands of laptops which his office could buy between P20,000 to P30,000 per unit. P20,000 is 200% cheaper compared to P67,000. A P30,000 laptop is more than 100% cheaper compared to P 67,000 laptop. Is Mr. Carandang the newest Imelda Marcos in Malacanang?" the Pamalakaya leader lamented.

Hicap said the government could have saved as much as P880,000 to P1.2 million if it had purchased laptops worth P30,000 each.

He blamed President Benigno Simeon Aquino III for tolerating "this bizarre and blatant display of extreme extravagance" and said Carandang and his staff at PCDSPO should just use their own money if they want to buy expensive laptops.

The controversial procurement of 24 units of Apple laptops recently sparked a word war between Carandang and Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay. The congresswoman alleged that Carandang had pressured a colleague to sign for the purchase of overpriced laptop computers for the Palace communications group without the mandatory bidding.

Carandang, however, said Magsaysay should apologize for falsely accusing his department of corruption in procuring computers, based on allegations of a former director of the department who had resigned.

He said the government was able to save money by procuring from a supplier 24 units of Apple MacBooks of varying specs worth P1,671,480.00, averaging P66,000 to P67,000 each when the market price for each unit costs more. Another supplier quoted a total price of P1,884,800.00.

[Monseratto]

Hinde naman mahal pag bumili ka ng status symbol...goes nicely with IPads and IPhones...


Ricky Carandang seeks apology from Mitos Magsaysay after laptop row | Sun.Star

PRESIDENTIAL Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) Secretary Ramon Carandang is asking for an apology from Zambales Representative Mitos Magsaysay, insisting that no anomaly was involved in the procurement of laptops by his office.

"Maybe in the spirit of fairness, maybe if she apologizes, then I think we can end this non-issue," Carandang said.

Several top officials of the communications group on Thursday ganged up against Magsaysay over Twitter for allegedly making an issue on the procurement of P1.6 million worth of laptops by the PCDSPO.


Carandang maintained that there procurement process was "aboveboard" and the laptops were not overpriced.


"There were two failed biddings. Pagkatapos 'non pumasok kami sa negotiated sale. P1.6 million pesos for 24 Apple computers na laptop averages about P66,000-P67,000 per unit. 'Pag pumunta po kayo doon sa supplier at bumili kayo ng tingi-tingi, makikita n'yo na it's actually much more expensive than that, ano. 'Yung pinakamura na mabibili n'yo ngayon sa tindahan is P75,000. So we actually saved money during the procurement process at aboveboard po, sumunod tayo sa lahat ng proseso. So there's no overpricing at all," he said.


He added that even President Benigno Aquino III was aware about the procurement and saw nothing wrong with it.


He stressed that Magsaysay was just "electrocuted" by the information that was fed to her.


"Well, politics. Ganyan talaga ang pulitika you deal with the blows, ano, so we're dealing with the blows. Pero I want to assure everyone na hindi natin ginagawa 'yung mga maling paraan. We have all the documents to prove na tama 'yung prosesong sinunod natin," he said.


Carandang furnished the media with copies of the two failed notices of bidding published in newspapers.


Asked why they chose to buy expensive laptops than cheaper ones, he said "Mac laptops are not prone to virus. And they are easier to use."

Carandang also has no plans to talk to his assistant secretary Reginald Tongol, who resigned after the issue received media attention.


Tongol headed the bids and awards committee that called for the bids for the purchase of computers.


"There's no point in talking to him kasi 'yung mga sinasabi niya hindi naman totoo, binabaligtad lang, tapos fini-feed doon kina Congresswoman Magsaysay. So wala ring point to talk to him," the Palace official said.


In a separate interview with deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, she said Tongol's father is a close friend of Magsaysay.


She described Tongol as a "disgruntled employee" who was "very inefficient" in doing his job.


"Obviously, he's a disgruntled employee because he has been called out for inefficiency more times than I can actually count, not just by myself but also Secretary Carandang, Secretary Edwin Lacierda, and Undersecretary Manolo Quezon. Obviously, disgruntled po itong tao na ito. I think hindi po admin ang gusto niyang trabaho in the first place. I suppose he wanted something more he was given. But given the fact that he was not performing properly doon sa mga tasks po na ibinibigay sa kanya, I guess he was being vindictive because he went to the opposition to say his piece. He could have talked to us," she said.


Carandang admitted that he took Tongol aside and told him to "look for another job" if he failed to shape up.


Tongol have submitted his resignation letter to the President.


Valte said the PCDSPO has no plans to file a case against Tongol noting they are "not vindictive." (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)

[chua_riwap]

dapat daw MSI, pero ayaw daw ni Carandang ng MSI, kahit super cheap ang price nyan.

may meaning daw kasi yan.....Malacanang Sucks, Inefficient.

[niky]

While 66k is cheap for an iMac, it's kind of excessive for a laptop for mixed use, unless they're all going to be used for preparing slideshow/video presentations.

I dunno... this one could go either way... I'm an avid user of graphics editing programs on the PC, but I'll admit that there are some things (especially if we're talking corporate communications and presentations) that are better accomplished on a Mac. They're faster, less prone to weird software issues, and generally better, price-for-price than PC-based laptops. If they're going to be used for heavy workloads, I'd agree... get the Macs.

If they're for secretarial or simple interdepartmental communications... text documents and simple non-professional slideshows... then by all means, get a less expensive unit.

It's hard to judge this case without knowing all the facts. Knowing that Carandag comes from the media, I'm not surprised that he wants iMacs. Most media production companies use nothing else. Because there is no substitute.

And that's coming from a PC user. For MassCom use at the school, we order iMacs, too.

[jedi]

i think wala namang masama kung 67k na laptop ang kinuha, ang masama eh kung nag overprice pa na kunwari eh binili ang isa worth 167k... dyan siguro pwede umusok ang ilong nating lahat.

[digitalron]

While 66k is cheap for an iMac, it's kind of excessive for a laptop for mixed use, unless they're all going to be used for preparing slideshow/video presentations.

I dunno... this one could go either way... I'm an avid user of graphics editing programs on the PC, but I'll admit that there are some things (especially if we're talking corporate communications and presentations) that are better accomplished on a Mac. They're faster, less prone to weird software issues, and generally better, price-for-price than PC-based laptops. If they're going to be used for heavy workloads, I'd agree... get the Macs.

If they're for secretarial or simple interdepartmental communications... text documents and simple non-professional slideshows... then by all means, get a less expensive unit.

It's hard to judge this case without knowing all the facts. Knowing that Carandag comes from the media, I'm not surprised that he wants iMacs. Most media production companies use nothing else. Because there is no substitute.

And that's coming from a PC user. For MassCom use at the school, we order iMacs, too.

While I have nothing against the Mac... and in fact like to use it over PCs on certain situations, this act of Carandang could easily spill over into other government agencies who'll also demand to get hold of a laptop that is "not prone to virus infection and is easier to use."

If the Malacañang Communications group has a couple of staff tasked produce videos and presentations, then get Macs for those guys, but do consider using the less expensive PCs for the others. Word Processing, email, a few presentations, some spreadsheet, working on some web apps... all easily done on a PC laptop at a third of the price.

Governments around the world are trying to cut costs by using commodity hardware (read: cheap netbooks and PC-based laptops) and open source software, but Malacañang (at least the comm group) is sending a vastly different message by doing this.

Does not compute.

[uls]

diba normal lang naman they live off the taxpayers when they're in power?

libre lahat. libre sasakyan, libre gas, libre pagkain. libre laptop. libre security/alalay. libre trips abroad with pocket money pa...

[marg]

Remember, P4,600,000,000,000.00 ang UTANG ng Pilipinas.

We borrow P1,000,000,000.00 every 2 days to plug the Deficit.

40 Centavos out of every Peso Taxes goes to Debt-Servicing.

Anong walang masama sa pagbili ng Apple Macs?

[Gerbo]

Tame lang yan.

Dito sa isang regional hospital, P80,000 for a compatible desktop PC.

[A121]

Remember, P4,600,000,000,000.00 ang UTANG ng Pilipinas.

We borrow P1,000,000,000.00 every 2 days to plug the Deficit.

40 Centavos out of every Peso Taxes goes to Debt-Servicing.

Anong walang masama sa pagbili ng Apple Macs?

If a big chunk of the budget is allotted for debt-servicing, then there is a big problem.

[robot.sonic]

imbestigahan dapat ng senate yan. tsaka congress. gawing priority 1. isantabi muna yung issue ng kape, helicopter, energy drink, at yung pag lipad ni taba papuntang hongkong. napakalaking issue to! imagine 1M!!!

hay...

[uls]

hey opportunity yan to buy Apple stuff without using your own money no?

[oliver1013]

Wala na kong tiwala kay Pnoy corrupt din pala siya....BOOOOOO!!!!

Hater na rin ako sa corrupt na preidente natin

[Ry_Tower]

Ok lang kung head may Apple IMac IMO. Pero yung pati iba na lower sa kanya, sobra na. Puwede na yung P20K-P25K since gov't money.

BTW: hindi naman ata si PNoy nag-approb nito kaya dapat yung pagsabihan ay yung nag-approve from DBM.

[kinyo]

siguro gusto nang sibakin ni Pnoy itong si Carandang ... kaso magagalit si Ate Kris

[111prez]

dapat alienware nalang binili ni carandang

herherher

[Monseratto]

Sayang, di ko na panuod. Siya pa tuloy nag-sorry...=P

Magsaysay, Carandang lock horns over phones, chairs, etc. | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features

MANILA, Philippines - It was a face-off that practically everybody saw coming after a protracted word war over the media on the allegedly questionable purchase of laptop computers for a Palace office.

Zambales Rep. Maria Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay called Communications Secretary Ramon “Ricky” Carandang “spoiled brat, arrogant, and immature” to his face at a budget hearing.

This, after Carandang gave apparently sarcastic answers to Magsaysay’s questions over his office’s procurement processes.

It was the turn of Carandang’s Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office to present its budget proposal for 2012 before the appropriations committee. Usually, this is the opportunity lawmakers seize to ask Cabinet members about their own parochial concerns that may not necessarily be budget-related.

The face-off began with Magsaysay, who was registered to be the first interpellator. Magsaysay’s interpellation alone lasted about half an hour, interrupted twice by lawmakers to defuse the tension

Magsaysay then proceeded to ask about the agency’s acquisition of laptop computers. Carandang said they published invitations for bidding in a tabloid. He said biddings were called twice but no one participated.

Magsaysay doubted no one would participate in such a bidding.

Carandang argued he doesn’t know why no one joined the bidding, but he argued that since the purchase value was below P2 million, there was no need to publish the bidding invitation. “We did follow the process.”

He said Magsaysay will have to ask the suppliers why no one participated in the bidding. To which she replied, “Your answer is out of line Mr. Carandang.”

She also noted Carandang wanted a negotiated bid, but ended up buying Apple Mac Pros.

Carandang argued the laptops were purchased according to his 3 specifications: not susceptible to viruses, long battery time, and easily portable.

Magsaysay asked Carandang if they asked around for more computers. Carandang said they did, but that the laptops they found were not within the threshold allowed by regulations.

Carandang argued his office does graphics work for the Office of the President.

Magsaysay said other laptops can do the same thing .“The problem is, many of you came from the private sector. In your case, instead of buying a laptop that can do same function at P46,000 you decided for Apple Mac Pro at P66,000. You’re now known as the Imelda Marcos of laptop computers. Is that kind of message you want? The message did not come from me.”

Courtesy

Magsaysay then said she expects courtesy even from adversaries but said some are too arrogant. She then asked Carandang about his messaging functions as well as the falling survey numbers of President Aquino.

Magsaysay noted that both the President and his sister Kris have separately said that the problem maybe related to messaging. Carandang then retorted, “was that a rhetorical question or do you want me to answer that?”

This remark further got Magsaysay fired up, “Don’t be arrogant. I’m warning you, you’re not in ABS-CBN. If you had the temerity to insult public officials when you were in ABS-CBN, sad to say [you’re not there anymore]. If you’re going to be arrogant, don’t be in public service.”

She added: “How can you be arrogant to say that? You have a long way to go as far as maturity and wisdom is concerned. Your kind of breed of public servant has no place in public service. Kami pag upo namin dito hiniram lang namin ito wala kaming karapatan maging arogante. Appointed official ka lang, ano karapatan mo maging arogante? Iwan mo pagiging spoiled brat mo sa bahay mo matuto ka maging humble!”

Abaya then reminded Magsaysay she was already at the 28th-minute mark. As a member of the minority, she should have had only 10 minutes of interpellation time.

Magsaysay, however, continued, “Lahat tayo dito professional, except them. Kahit kailan di mo maririnig na ganito tayo.You didn’t answer my question, compel him to answer.”

Abaya then compelled Carandang to answer.

Carandang said, “I’m in charge of messaging. I note Cong Magsaysay's comment…I believe we can do a better job in our office.”

Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas tried to defuse the tension by asking Carandang, “Tell us I have no intention to offend.”

Carandang said, “It’s been a rather tense morning, [there is] no intent on my part to offend anybody."


Magsaysay went on to say, however, “I’m holding my punches. I’m not even attacking your character, you’re the one drawing me to do that.”

Magsaysay asked Carandang about his supposedly scathing statement against her with regards to the issue of the laptop purchase. “The name of Sec Carandang was never brought out in any minority presscon. It was in a blind item. Lagman mentioned the blind item. I was surprised you came out with a scathing statement with regards to my person.”

Magsaysay asked Carandang who did the statement. Carandang said, his office, and ultimately, he himself did it.

Magsaysay then said, “May I ask you one more time. Has it been proven? Do you know the difference between facts and perception? What were you trying to put in this statement, was it fact or propaganda? Opinions have no place if not sanctioned by the president. Did the President sanction you?”

Carandang said, “I wrote it myself . He also maintained his statement was “appropriate”

Magsaysay said, “you represent the president…Put that in your coconut. Your emotions took better of you. Naurot ka lang ng media and you came up with a scathing statement like this. You didn’t double check your facts…”

Carandang then replied, “I regret the harsh exchange has led to animosity. I will refrain from making any inflammatory statements.”

Magsaysay went on, “I never fired any shot. Ako pa hihingi apology sa iyo? Sobra ka naman. Don’t you think you owe someone an apology?”

Carandang stood his ground, “I regret the exchange with media has led to atmosphere of animosity. I was trying to defend my office against the allegation…If defense was rather aggressive, I’ve learned sometimes very aggressive defense doesn’t solve the problem.”

Magsaysay said, “Is that an apology?”

Carandang replied, “I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings.”

The hall broke into applause.

Magsaysay said, “I don’t know if the apology is sincere or not. Di naman lahat ng anak natin perfect.”

Fariñas, however, retorted: “If that were not sincere I’d nominate him for [a] FAMAS.”

[CVT]

Guilty ba o hindi?

Hindi puwedeng "I'm sorry"

Sino siya, si GMA?.... :hysterical:

14.0K:bike3: