Officials implicated in the controversial ₱2.4-billion laptop procurement deal are no longer affiliated with the Department of Education (DepEd) or the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), both agencies confirmed over the weekend, as plunder and graft charges proceed against several former officials.
In separate statements, DepEd and DBM said they would fully cooperate with the Office of the Ombudsman in the ongoing investigation, assuring the public of their commitment to transparency and accountability.
“The Department affirms its commitment to transparency, accountability, and upholding the rule of law,” DepEd said, adding that it will provide all necessary documents and assistance to investigators.
The Office of the Ombudsman last week filed plunder charges against seven individuals, including former DepEd Undersecretary Alain del Pascua and former Procurement Service-DBM (PS-DBM) Executive Director Dennis Santiago. The charges stem from the procurement of over 39,000 laptops intended for public school teachers at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The laptops were purchased at ₱58,300 each—far above the initially planned cost of ₱35,046 per unit—sparking concerns over alleged overpricing and inefficiency.
The Commission on Audit (COA) first flagged the transaction in its 2021 annual report, describing the laptops as too expensive and too slow for effective use in distance learning. The procurement, originally intended to benefit more than 68,000 teachers, ended up delivering only around 39,000 units due to the inflated cost per device.
Amid public criticism and a Senate investigation, the Ombudsman found probable cause to charge the officials involved with plunder, graft, falsification of documents, and perjury. Other former PS-DBM officials named in the complaint include Lloyd Christopher Lao, Jasonmer Uayan, Ulysses Mora, Marwan Amil, and Paul Armand Estrada.
Both DepEd and DBM emphasized that none of the individuals currently facing charges hold any government position.
“These officials no longer hold any position in or maintain any connection with the department,” DepEd said.
DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman also affirmed her agency’s cooperation, saying they are ready to assist the Ombudsman in any way necessary. She highlighted ongoing reforms and digitization initiatives within the procurement process to prevent similar controversies in the future.
Despite the scandal, both departments reiterated their focus on public service, particularly in improving education delivery and strengthening procurement integrity.
“We continue to focus on delivering quality education to our learners while cooperating fully with all relevant government agencies,” DepEd said.
As the legal proceedings advance, the public and various stakeholders continue to call for accountability and systemic reforms to ensure that public funds are used efficiently and in the best interest of Filipino learners.
