The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the filing of graft charges against former Education Secretary Leonor Briones and over a dozen other officials in connection with the Department of Education’s (DepEd) controversial P2.4-billion procurement of overpriced laptops for public school teachers during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a 106-page resolution dated July 4, the Ombudsman found probable cause to indict Briones and several DepEd officials for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and for falsification of public documents. The case stems from the 2021 purchase of allegedly outdated and excessively priced laptops, which sparked public outrage and a Senate inquiry.
The procurement was carried out in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management’s Procurement Service (PS-DBM). Three officials from DepEd and PS-DBM are also facing perjury charges for allegedly providing false testimonies under oath during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation of the procurement.
The Ombudsman’s resolution echoed the findings of the Senate panel, which had earlier identified serious irregularities in the procurement process. Chaired by then-Senator Francis Tolentino, the committee found that the laptops bought were not only overpriced but also substandard and ill-suited for remote learning.
While the Senate had previously described Briones as possibly “unwittingly” misled into authorizing the procurement, the Ombudsman took a firmer stance. It ruled that Briones was not merely deceived but had actively conspired with her subordinates. The resolution stated that Briones was involved in falsifying the execution date of a 2021 Memorandum of Agreement — a critical document used to justify and legitimize the procurement.
The Ombudsman emphasized that public officials should be held accountable for decisions that result in the misuse of taxpayer money, especially during a national crisis. The resolution marks a significant step in enforcing accountability in pandemic-related spending, which has been under intense scrutiny from watchdogs and the public.
As of writing, Briones and the other implicated officials have yet to issue public statements regarding the charges. The case is expected to be filed before the Sandiganbayan, where formal proceedings will begin. If found guilty, the accused could face imprisonment and permanent disqualification from public office.