Preliminary injunction issued vs BOC computerization project

MANILA, Philippines - The Manila regional trial court (RTC) has issued a preliminary injunction to stop the Bureau of Customs (BOC) from pushing through with a P500-million project to computerize its operations.

In a July 29 order, RTC Branch 55 Judge Josefina Siscar ordered the BOC to refrain from implementing a notice of award granted to the winning bidder of the project, the joint venture of Webb Fontaine and Grow, Inc., until the case is resolved.

Siscar also ordered the petitioner – Omniprime Marketing Inc., represented by its president, Annabelle Margaroli – to file a P300,000 bond to answer for any damages the respondents may suffer. 

Siscar agreed with a 20-day temporary restraining order issued by Judge Armando Yanga stopping the awarding of contract of the Integrated Philippine Customs System.

In its petition, Omniprime said Webb Fontaine failed to fully comply with the bidding requirements because it submitted papers in which the notary public’s signature had been forged.

Omniprime, which seeks to annul the notice of award for the project, told Yanga that it may suffer irreparable injury if the deal is awarded to the Webb-Grow joint venture. Omniprime said it was one of the project’s losing bidders.