Ombudsman Probes 'Ghost Internet' Scheme in Government

The Office of the Ombudsman is investigating a "ghost internet" scheme involving the government's Information Technology (IT) system, allegedly rigged with substandard, if not fake, software, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said. Clavano said that while the government pays billions of pesos for IT systems with very specific technical requirements, there are cases wherein the government is shortchanged due to lack of due diligence. "Once the hardware, the machines, the routers are delivered and pass inspection, everyone assumes the software that's supposed to run on it is there as well. Nobody actually checks. And there comes the loophole. A contractor can install cheaper, outdated, or even fake software while still charging the government full price for the real thing,” Clavano said in a press conference. “Because nobody verifies the software after the hardware is approved, the overpricing goes undetected. It only comes out when the systems break down, or when somebody finally digs deep enough to catch it, which is what our investigation is doing now,” he added. Clavano then said that the investigation will center around the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). “Were the contracted sites actually installed, and are they working? Was the government billed for connectivity and services that were never delivered? Were the prices of hardware, software, and services reasonable, or were they inflated?” Clavano said. “Who approved, certified, or released payment for projects that were not delivered? So that has entered into fact-finding, and we will update the public regarding the investigation on that matter as soon as possible,” he added.—LDF, GMA News