De Lima seeks probe of Davao-based firm tapped for 2022 polls

Sen. Leila de Lima. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines — Detecting a “whiff of cronyism,” an opposition senator wants Congress to look into reports that a logistics firm linked to Davao businessman Dennis Uy is about to bag a P1.6 billion project to deliver crucial poll equipment and paraphernalia for the 2022 elections.

On Aug. 19, detained Sen. Leila de Lima filed a Senate resolution seeking an inquiry into the Commission on Elections (Comelec)’s impending award of contract to F2 Logistics Philippines, which the poll body recently declared to be the lowest bidder.

“Even a whiff of cronyism and the slightest accusation of possible corruption must warrant public concern for these to threaten the people’s right of suffrage,” the senator said in a statement from Camp Crame on Sunday.

De Lima said lawmakers were duty-bound to protect election processes “from even suspicions of cheating, manipulation, and irregularities by disqualifying suppliers with known links to identified political parties and possible candidates.”

The senator said any “semblance of conflict of interest” should be avoided and “no supplier that participated in partisan political activities should be awarded with contracts connected to the conduct of our national and local elections.”

“Any transaction or contract that would erode public trust in government, and in the objectivity of civil service, must be put under the strictest scrutiny,” she added.

In proposed Senate Resolution No. 855, De Lima cited news reports that F2 Philippines had already bagged the contract, although the Comelec clarified in an Aug. 5 statement that the company had not yet been awarded pending the post-qualification process.

Once the contract is signed, the winning bidder will be responsible for the “delivery and reverse logistics” of all automated election system-related equipment, peripherals, forms and supplies on Election Day on May 9, 2022.

The De Lima resolution quoted from ABS-CBN News and Bilyonaryo.com reports identifying Uy, a close friend of President Duterte who donated P30 million to his campaign in 2016, as the chair of F2 Philippines.

Uy, whose business empire has grown several-fold during the Duterte administration, is the CEO of Udenna Corp., part of the consortium that won the contract to be the Philippines’ third telco player.

The businessman admitted being close to Mr. Duterte during a Senate hearing in January 2019.

De Lima, a former election lawyer, said the Senate should ensure that the awarding of government contracts was compliant with the provisions of the Government Procurement Reform Act and other relevant laws.