AMID the uproar caused by the awarding of the project to a company linked to Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) signed the contract with F2 Logistics Philippines for the transport of election equipment, supplies, and paraphernalia to be used in the May 2022 polls.
In a copy of its contract posted on its website, the Comelec and F2 agreed to the terms of the P535,999,998 deal last October 29.
"For and in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties herein agree as follows," stated the contract.
Under the deal, the deployment of election supplies in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon costs P106 million, while the budget for the deployment in Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Bicol Region is P123 million.
The allocation for the shipment in Visayas regions is P120,999,999, while a budget of P185,999,999 has been set for Mindanao regions.
The deal provides that F2 will be tasked to deploy and bring back the vote counting machines (VCM) and peripherals, for roadshow, field tests, mock elections, training, final testing and sealing, and election purposes; consolidation/canvassing system (CCS) machines and peripherals; transmission equipment/device and peripherals; VCM external batteries and accessories; generator sets (gensets), optional; and other election equipment and paraphernalia.
F2 is also tasked to deploy the official ballots, ballot boxes, other accountable forms and supplies, non-accountable forms and supplies, training materials provided by Comelec, Election Day Computerized Voters' Lists, Posted Computerized Voters' Lists, Computerized Voters' List Supplies, and other election paraphernalia.
To recall, the Comelec-Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC) declared F2 as the lowest calculated bidder for the project back in August 24.
Subsequently, the Comelec en banc issued the Notice of Award to F2 last September 15.
This came despite questions on why the multi-million-peso contract was awarded to a firm related to the businessman known for his close relationship with President Rodrigo Duterte. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)