‘MALABO ‘YAN’ | Comelec eases electoral fraud concerns over logistics deal with Duterte ally

October 28, 2021 , 01:20 PM

By Beatrice Puente

(October 28, 2021) – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday eased people’s concerns on the tampering of election supplies following a logistics deal with a company linked to President Rodrigo Duterte’s ally, citing the safeguards in place to ensure the integrity of the 2022 elections.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez insisted that it would be unlikely for the election supplies to be tampered with. He said they follow stringent processes in delivering and testing them.

“Medyo malabo po ‘yan (tampering) because meron tayong tracking system. We check the shipment before it’s loaded and we check the shipment upon arrival,” said Jimenez on One News’ The Chiefs. “May Comelec personnel na sumasama sa deliveries natin at definitely nagre-receive ng deliveries. So, wala sigurong dapat ipangamba.”

F2 Logistics, a company with ties to Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy, bagged the deal to transport election supplies across the country. It offered the lowest bid at P535.99 million for a contract price of P1.61 billion, beating LBC Express, 2Go Express, and Airspeed International.

Uy is one of the biggest contributors to Duterte’s campaign in 2016, chipping in P30 million, based on the tough-talking leader’s Statement of Contributions and Expenditures.

Kontra Daya, an independent election watchdog, has called on Comelec to cancel the contract awarded to F2 Logistics, stressing that it was unethical. Several lawmakers, mostly hailing from the opposition, sought an investigation into the deal but no progress has been made.

“It may be technically legal but it is patently unethical. F2 Logistics’ partnership with Comelec compromises the integrity of the 2022 polls,” said Kontra Daya convenor Danilo Arao last August. “There is clearly something wrong with this picture that no amount of legal technicalities can debunk.”

Jimenez said the contract has already been finalized. He also reiterated that they have stern protocols to prevent illegal tactics in the 2022 elections.

“Meron tayong requirement under the law that a day before the elections, magkaroon tayo ng tinatawag na final testing and sealing which means that the day before the elections, alam na natin if the machines are working,” said Jimenez. “Kung may problema man, there’s still enough time to remedy the situation.”

Uy, dubbed the country’s fastest-rising tycoon, has notably expanded his business ventures since Duterte came into power. Apart from logistics, he also holds stakes in the fuel industry, telecommunications, and even in the fast food business. He is also one of the wealthiest persons in the country with a net worth of P32.3 billion.

Uy has also been embroiled in a controversy over his company’s buyout of Chevron in 2019. His firm’s subsidiary, Udenna-Chevron Malampaya Philippines, got 45% of the stakes following the Department of Energy’s approval. He is facing a graft complaint about the deal.

Duterte, who repeatedly said he’s against oligarchs, in July 2020 said he would be happy to help his friends become richer.

(PM)

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