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FATE to Comelec: Secure quality of indelible ink for 2022 polls

August 22, 2021 Marlon Purification 752 views

THE Filipino Alliance for Transparency and Empowerment (FATE) has asked the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to exercise extreme prudence in the selection of suppliers for indelible ink that will be used in the 2022 presidential elections.

Jo Perez, FATE’s spokesperson, said the COMELEC must be extra careful in the selection of contractors of indelible ink. Selecting inferior quality indelible ink may be used in possible cheating during the national and local elections.

Last Tuesday (August 17), Comelec conducted an online bidding for the procurement of indelible ink. The Opening of Bids was led by the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) with assistance from the Microsoft teams.

Six companies joined the bidding including Ideal Marketing, T and E Enterprises, ASA Color, Arik General Merchandising, Topbest Printing, and MCX International.

FATE learned that Ideal Marketing and Arik General Merchandising were disqualified due to technical issues.

On the other hand, ASA Color, T and E Enterprises, Topbest Printing, and MCX International were deemed to be eligible bidders.

However, FATE urged COMELEC to thoroughly examine the documents submitted by T and E Enterprises and MCX International.

In particular, T and E submitted documents having a single largest contract worth P19.5 million. They allegedly presented a sales invoice of P19.5 million that is non-VAT.

FATE argued that if they are a non-VAT company, their gross receipt should not exceed P3 million that is prescribed by BIR Rule, Revenue Regulation 16-2005.

In addition, their Mayor’s permit shows gross receipts of “0”. But their audited financial report shows P10 million in revenues. Thus, they allegedly have 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 mabusisiat maingat ang COMELEC para malaman kung totoo ito o hindi,” said Perez.

T and E allegedly maintains four employees raising questions on how will they be able to secure the P72 million contract from the COMELEC and how they will accomplish it.

“Kung apat lang ang employees nila, pano nila made-deliver ang 462,000 bote ng mga ink?,” Perez claimed.

On the part of MCX International, Perez said the company’s main business is centered on motorcycles. She said that they are supposed to supply indelible ink and not motorcycle oils or brake fluids.

MCX allegedly has a joint venture with China-based company Yuyao Fair Stationary Company.

“Mayroon naman tayong sariling produkto bakit kinakailangan ng foreigner pa? At China pa!” Perez said.

Perez stressed that FATE is not favoring any company but is only concerned on guarding the bidding process for transparency especially with the future at stake in the coming elections.

“Hindi porke may pandemya ay nanahimik kami. Dapat nga, lalo tayong mag-ingay at magbantay dahil kinabukasan ng taumbayan ang nakataya rito!,” she added.