WHEREAS, it is advantageous to the Government and in accordance with sound public policy that the present practice of requiring the presence of provincial auditors in the opening of bids in the provinces in connection with public auctions or opening of sealed bids be extended to all cases of competitive public biddings conducted by the national, provincial, city or municipal government, or by any official or officer thereof, including provincial sheriffs; and

WHEREAS, as required in Executive Order No. 98, dated April 24, 1937, no contract for public service or for furnishing supplies, materials, or equipment to the Government shall be made or entered into without public bidding except as therein provided;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MANUEL L. QUEZON, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me vested by law, do hereby direct that the opening of all bids and quotations for similar services be made in the presence of a representative of the Auditor General, who is hereby authorized to secure and identify such papers and samples of the materials submitted by the bidders as will insure the proper safeguard of the interests of the Government.

Done at the City of Manila, this 25th day of April, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and forty, and of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, the fifth.


By the President:

(Sgd.) JORGE B. VARGAS
Secretary to the President