Comelec modernization still under review

The controversial P6.5-billion election modernization contract is still under review by an inter-agency panel, a member of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday.

Commissioner Luzviminda Tancangco told reporters that the contract is now being reviewed by a team of lawyers from the Comelec legal department, the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel and the Department of Justice.

"I do not see any irregularity being committed in the award of the contract. I think the government is well-protected from being placed in a disadvantageous position because our lawyers will have to thoroughly take a second look at the provisions before implementation," she said.

Tancangco and Commissioners Jesus Desamito, Rufino Javier and Ralph Lantion had signed the award to winning bidder, Photokina Inc., upon recommendation of the Comelec bidding committee.

Chairwoman Harriet Demetriou, however, refused to sign it because of some alleged irregularities.

There are unverified reports that some influential persons close to Malacañang are behind the winning bidder.

Tancangco said there has been no actual report of any irregularity in the bidding and award process, nor has there been any complaint from bidders.

She said the terms of the contract may still be negotiated between the Comelec and Photokina, but only after the review team has determined that these are not disadvantageous to the poll body.

She added that Demetriou’s refusal to sign the award without detailing her objections to it is delaying the implementation of the election modernization program.

The Comelec had hoped to carry out such a program in time for the May 2001 combined congressional and local elections.

Earlier, officials of the poll body told the Department of Budget and Management that the DBM’s failure to release the necessary funds was jeopardizing the modernization project. – Jess Diaz