Comelec exec: NPO ‘subcontracted’ printing of voter information sheet

Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon. Photo By DARRYL JOHN ESGUERRA / INQUIRER.net (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)

MANILA, Philippines—A Commission on Elections (Comelec) official has accused the National Printing Office (NPO) of subcontracting the printing of voter information sheets to a third party firm for the May midterm elections.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon disclosed this Wednesday, adding that it was against the rules of the Commission on Audit (COA).

“Dahil government-to-government e walang bidding. Tapos nalaman ko at sagutin nila ako kung totoo. Pina-subcontract ba nila sa Holy Family Printing Press? That’s against COA rules kaya nga sila ang pinili namin para wala nang bidding,” Guanzon said  in an interview.

The poll official also lamented that printed voter information sheets contained errors.

“It could have confused the voters, it could have resulted in a failure of elections. Mabuti nalang naagapan and we ordered, the (Comelec) en banc, ordered na huwag idistribute ‘yung voter information sheets,” Guanzon said.

“NPO should be asked because they are accountable for this. Siningil nila kami ng mga P4 per voter information sheet na napakaliit ng print,” she added.

The NPO is mandated by law to provide printing services to government agencies and instrumentalities.   (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)