Absolutely’ not party to any anomaly—IIT

To set the record straight and clean the reputation of our client, Ma. Victoria S. Tolentino and/or Innsbruck International Trading (IIT), we would like to correct certain inaccuracies and misconceptions that were stated in the Inquirer’s series of articles published fromJuly 26 to 30, 2013.

We would like to state the facts as duly supported by evidence:

1. IIT is a sole proprietorship duly registered under the name of our client. It is engaged in sales and distribution of microorganisms and enzymes for the prevention of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases. As shown in the company profile, a copy of which the Inquirer got in Polillo, Quezon province, our client has been in the business for more than 20 years and has an unblemished track record. Thus, it can’t be said that our client is a shady character.

2. Our client came to know of the requirements of the local government of Polillo town through a newspaper advertisement and from the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System website. Our client subsequently presented her Letter of Intent and applied for a Certificate of Accreditation. The accreditation was approved by the bids and awards committee (BAC) on Jan. 19, 2012.

3. Our client then purchased the bid documents needed to participate in the bidding process.

4. On the bidding date, Jan. 31, 2012, our client presented its Technical and Financial Proposal to the BAC chair. IIT was subsequently declared the bidder with the lowest calculated bid.

5. After three days, our client’s bid underwent proper evaluation through post-qualification and was declared the most responsive. This is shown by the Notice of Post-Qualification. The following week, our client was issued a Notice of Award, a Notice to Proceed and a Purchase Order after it fully complied with all the requirements under the Government Procurement Reform Act (Republic Act No. 9184).

6. Our client delivered the products within the specified time period and these were fully inspected by the concerned local government unit. The Inspection Report and Acceptance was duly signed after it passed through the proper inspection procedure.

We are willing to show the supporting documents in the proper forum. Hence, our position is that all pertinent documents prescribed in RA  9184, including its implementing rules and regulations and accounting and auditing practice, have been fully satisfied. IIT has also submitted an audited financial statement before the authorized agent bank of the Bureau of Internal Revenue. As far as our client is concerned, absolutely it has not engaged in any anomalous transaction. The false and malicious imputations have besmirched the name of our client even though she is not a public figure. The same caused her so much physical and emotional stress.

—PEDRO M. FERRER,

Ferrer & Associates,

[email protected]

The lead story of the series was based on documents provided by the Polillo town government and interviews with some of the people involved in the transaction. Sources were properly cited. I tried reaching Innsbruck through its telephone number to no avail. Even local government officials did not know how to contact the company.

—KIRSTIN BERNABE

* * *

The Inquirer tried on July 24 to seek comments from Ma. Victoria Tolentino but found out that the company was no longer operating at the Rodriguez, Rizal address listed on the documents obtained from Polillo town. The Inquirer also visited another address, in San Juan City on July 26, but was told by the building’s security officers that no such company (Innsbruck International Trading) operated there.

The other municipalities in Rizal province  mentioned in the Inquirer reports (Teresa, Baras, Pililla and Morong) failed to show bidding documents although they confirmed receiving the Effective Microwealth Probiotics (EMP) from the company. The Baras municipal budget officer confirmed that no bidding took place for the purchase of the EMP.

—MARICAR CINCO,

Inquirer Southern Luzon