The Commission on Elections en banc has approved the notice of award to F2 Logistics Philippines to transport election materials and warehousing of the May 2022 elections equipment and supplies.
“The notice of award was approved by the en banc,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a Viber message to the media yesterday.
The contract covers the delivery of automated election system-related equipment, vote counting machines, ballots and other supplies in the May 2022 national and local elections.
The company submitted the lowest calculated bid for the P1.61-billion contract.
Malacañang said Tuesday that President Rodrigo Duterte has no hand in the Comelec’s selection of the company that will transport the election materials.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the reaction after poll watchdog Kontra Daya questioned the participation of F2 Logistics Philippines due to its alleged link to Dennis Uy, a Davao-based businessman.
“The Comelec has the sole power to conduct elections, including power to award contracts like that. The President has nothing to do with that. That’s up to Comelec,” Roque said.
Meanwhile, the “deep” cut in the Comelec budget for next year will have an impact on the conduct of the elections.
The Department of Budget and Management reduced Comelec’s 2022 budget by P15 billion.
“The DBM’s deep cut into the Comelec’s proposed budget will significantly impact how the Comelec will conduct the 2022 elections,” Jimenez said in a statement.
He said the Comelec is now reviewing the budget on where to make the adjustments.
“The Commission is currently reviewing its budget to see where adjustments need to be made. Even a cursory review of the National Expenditure Program, however, immediately reveals that the budget for the Electoral Boards will be one of the most affected,” he said.
He said they will continue to push for the proposed budget of over P41.99 billion for next year.
“The Comelec assures the public, however, that it will continue to advocate for its budget in order to ensure that the 2022 National Elections will be honest, credible, orderly, peaceful, and safe,” he said.*PNA
