The Filipino Alliance for Transparency and Empowerment (FATE) on Monday cautioned the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against allegedly dubious contractors supplying indelible ink which will be used for Eleksyon 2022.
In a statement, FATE spokesperson Jo Perez said the poll body should make sure that the quality of the indelible ink would prevent anomalies during the national and local elections.
During the Comelec’s Bids and Awards Committee hearing last August 17, Perez noted that the pollster is considering ASA Color, T and E Enterprises, Topbest Printing, and MCX International as eligible bidders for the ink.
Perez said Comelec must look into the “inconsistent” documents submitted by T and E Enterprises and MCX International.
Specifically, Perez said Comelec should look into MCX International, which FATE flagged because it has a joint venture with Yuyao Fair Stationery Company, a China-based firm.
“China na naman? Hindi sila dapat paboran dahil delikado para sa ating seguridad at kinabukasan. Mayroon naman tayong sariling produkto bakit kailangan ng foreigner pa? At China pa!” Perez said.
(China again? They should not be favored given that our security and future are involved. We have local suppliers. Why do we need foreigners to supply our products?)
She further pointed out that MCX International’s business was motorcycles. She added that the company’s focus is on “motorcycle oils or brake fluids” and not ink.
Meanwhile, Perez said T and E submitted documents with the largest contract worth P19.5 million, which is non-VAT.
However, Perez pointed out that if a firm is not covered by VAT, their gross receipt must not exceed P3 million which as prescribed by Bureau of Internal Revenue rules.
Also, the T and E’s mayor’s permit showed gross receipts of “0” but their audited financial report shows P10 million in revenue. This means the firm had not declared any revenue.
“Initial na report ito na natanggap namin. Kailangan patunayan ng T and E Enterprises na mali ang sumbong laban sa kanila at dapat maging mabusisi at maingat ang COMELEC para malaman kung totoo ito o hindi,” said Perez.
(These are just initial reports we received. T and E Enterprises needs to prove that these reports are wrong and the Comelec should scrutinize them.)
Perez also clarified that the group is not favoring any company but is concerned with the transparency in Comelec’s bidding process amid the upcoming elections. — DVM, GMA News
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