Scrapping of ARMM polls bid a pity

MANILA, Philippines – The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) yesterday said it was disappointed to learn that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is planning to scrap the automation bidding for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

PPCRV chairperson Henrietta de Villa said in a text message that “it was a pity” that the Comelec Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) recommended the junking of the automation project in the ARMM.

But De Villa said she understood the reason behind the poll body’s decision.

“I guess they are very wary and careful now after the Mega Pacific fiasco,” she said.

The lack of qualified bidders could have also been a factor, she added.

“Only one bidder made it for the Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) technology but after evaluating the winning bid, the Comelec saw some areas that might be questioned,” De Villa said.

Comelec-BAC chief Jose Tolentino Jr. recently recommended to the commission to completely disregard the plans for the automation of the Aug. 11 elections.

Tolentino, concurrent Comelec executive director, said that instead of a “half-baked” automation of the ARMM polls, it would be better if they shift their attention to preparations for the 2010 presidential elections.

Meanwhile, a paper company banned from supplying election paraphernalia for the Aug. 11 ARMM polls has asked Comelec Chairman Jose Melo to investigate their disqualification, saying the government stands to lose P8.5 million from the transaction.

In a letter to Melo, Advance Paper Corp. sales consultant Terence Ang said they made the lowest bid during the March 24 bidding compared to their three rivals.

However, they were disqualified by the Comelec-BAC.

Ang said awarding the contracts to rival firms Forms Intl., Philand Industries Inc. and Consolidated Paper Products is disadvantageous to the government.

But Tolentino assured the transactions are “aboveboard” and the disqualification of Advance Paper is “justifiable and in accordance with the law.” – With Sheila Crisostomo