De Lima seeks inquiry on P1.6B poll contract to be awarded to Dennis Uy-led firm

Senator Leila de Lima has urged the Congress to investigate the Commission on Elections’ looming awarding of a P1.6 billion logistics contract to F2 Logistics Philippines, a firm reportedly controlled by Duterte campaign donor and Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy.

In filing Senate Resolution 855, De Lima stressed the need to “ensure that the election processes are free from even suspicions of cheating, manipulation, and irregularities by disqualifying suppliers with known links to identified political parties and possible candidates.”

“There is a need to avoid any semblance of conflict of interest and ensure that no supplier that participated in partisan political activities should be awarded with contracts connected to the conduct of our national and local elections,” she said.

“Any transaction or contract that would erode public trust in government, and in the objectivity of civil service, must be put under the strictest scrutiny,” she added.

Last July 27, the Comelec special bids and awards committee (SBAC) declared F2 Logistics Philippines Inc. as the bidder with the lowest calculated bid for the P1.61 billion project for the procurement and deployment of election equipment, peripherals, forms, supplies, paraphernalia and warehousing for 2022 elections.

F2 reportedly bested three other firms that qualified out of eight participating companies. The Comelec clarified that the contract had not been awarded and F2 was going through a post-qualification process.

Uy, who was previously awarded a government contract and was investigated for his alleged links with the administration, has reportedly sat as chairman of F2 since 2006.

De Lima, a former election lawyer, said the Senate should ensure that the awarding of government contracts is compliant with the provisions of the Government Procurement Reform Act and other relevant laws.

“There is a need to revisit and review existing rules and regulations regarding the bidding out of government contracts to ensure competitiveness and fair play in public bidding processes,” she said.

“Even a whiff of cronyism and the slightest accusation of possible corruption must warrant public concern for these threaten the people’s right of suffrage,” De Lima said.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)