Poe seeks investigation into defective police cars

Senator  Grace Poe has said she would push for a Senate investigation of the acquisition by the Philippine National Police of defective patrol cars worth P1.8bn.“I will push for an inquiry to look into these and determine the culpability of the PNP officials, among others,” Poe said.She made the statement after the Commission on Audit confirmed in a report that the 2,054 Mahindra vehicles purchased for P1.8bn were defective.Poe, who was the chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs when the procurement of vehicles was being planned, questioned the way the terms of reference for the PNP patrol jeeps bidding were crafted.According to her, the terms of reference eliminated known brands with track record and countrywide presence as far as service centres are concerned.“These COA findings validate my concerns to a large extent,” said Poe in a statement. State auditors in a report that was secured by Manila Times confirmed its 2017 PNP consolidated annual audit report citing a number of issues involving the Mahindra vehicles.The report said several issues were raised against the vehicles, including problems on high fuel consumption, difficulty in acceleration at higher speed, tough manoeuvrability due to the vehicle’s narrow body, low engine performance, heavy smoke emission, limited interior space, absence of service centres and lack of spare parts.Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, one of the lawmakers who questioned the purchase of the vehicles, said it was a waste of taxpayers’ money.He said given the meagre resources of the police, the PNP should have acquired vehicles and equipment that are durable and reliable.“We cannot afford to waste public funds on vehicles and equipment that are not reliable,” the senator added.