SOME House leaders have expressed disappointment over the failure of senators to pass the proposed Government Procurement Reform Act (GPRA).

Deputy Majority Leader Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said it was unfortunate that a bill as crucial as GPRA not been given attention by the senators.

Senior Deputy Speaker Pampanga Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. is expecting the measure to be signed into law by May.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has certified the measure as urgent.

“It’s quite disappointing lang actually. To be honest, especially when you’re one of the co-authors na despite the President’s call to certify, the President’s action to certify the said legislation as urgent, parang nagsi-alisan yata sila para sa IPU or nagpaplano munang pumunta sa IPU, sa biyahe,” Acidre said, referring to the Geneva-based Inter-Parliamentary Union.

“That’s really something that I hope the Senate will make good, especially considering that this is a piece of legislation that’s important to the overall economic and fiscal reforms that the present administration is pursuing,” he added.

The House approved on third and final reading the procurement reform bill on December 12, 2023.

House Bill 9648 aims to improve and modernize the government procurement system in the country by amending the decades-old Republic Act No. 9184 or the original GPRA.

Acidre, a co-author of measure and a member of the House technical working group for the bill, highlighted the significant efforts they have invested in modernizing the country’s procurement code.

Recognizing the urgent necessity to expedite the passage of the measure in the upper chamber, President Marcos certified Senate Bill (SB) No. 2593 as urgent.

Gonzales said they expect the Senate to pass House Bill (HB) No. 9648 or its own version of the new procurement law shortly upon the resumption of session of Congress later next month.

He said the enactment process for the proposed new law could be shortened if the Senate would just adopt HB No. 9648, which seeks to repeal and replace Republic Act (RA) No. 9184, the present procurement statute.

“Kulang po sila sa courtrooms, pero hindi po nila ma-bid kaagad because kailangan ma-amiendahan po natin yung ating Republic Act 9184,” he added.

Gonzales explained that among other features, his bill seeks to reduce the procurement process from 120 days to just 27 days, “starting from the advertisement up to the notice of award, notice to proceed, and signing of contract and with one publication only.”