Ex-poll body chair Monsod: Give Comelec benefit of doubt

Lawyer Christian Monsod. (file photo from Radyo Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines —  Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Christian S. Monsod has said the poll body should be given the benefit of the doubt when it approved the notice of award for the transport and warehousing of 2022 election supplies to F2 Logistics.

Monsod, who is a pioneer of the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), was quoted to have said in an interview on ABS-CBN News Channel: “I would give the benefit of the doubt to the Comelec on this one because apparently, the company of Mr. Uy has already provided in two other elections logistics services; and they have a relatively good record… there was nothing that was out of order.”

He was apparently referring to businessman Dennis Uy, a known supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte. Uy reportedly is an investor in F2 Logistics, which is said to be a firm independently managed and operated by its President and CEO Efren Uy.

Monsod gave this response after being asked for his opinion about making a company where a Duterte ally allegedly has an investment in charge of Comelec’s logistics for the 2022 polls.