Robredo camp to Comelec: Assure safeguards in 2022 polls amid deal with F2 Logistics
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential aspirant and Vice President Leni Robredo’s camp urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Sunday to assure safeguards in the 2022 elections after signing a contract with F2 Logistics.
F2 Logistics is a cargo forwarder chaired by Davao-based entrepreneur Dennis Uy, a close associate of President Rodrigo Duterte and who donated P30 million for the chief executive’s presidential bid in 2016.
Comelec sealed a deal with F2 Logistics to distribute the ballots and vote-counting machines, among other supplies, for next year’s polls.
“Una, ‘yung propriety ba, kung tama ba ‘yun, ‘di ba? Alam mong malaking donor, alam mong kaibigan, alam mong dikit na dikit sa isang partikular na politko tapos bibigyan mo ng ganyang kontrata sa Comelec na dapat impartial, taga-bantay dapat sa eleksyon, walang kinikilingan,” Robredo’s spokesperson Barry Gutierrez said during the BISErbisyong LENI program on DZXL.
(First, is the propriety correct? You know that he’s a donor, friend, and very close to a particular politician and you will give him a contract with Comelec which should uphold impartiality, a watchdog of elections, and sides with no one.)
“Hindi ka magtataka bakit mayroon talagang nagdududa at madaming nababahala dito sa anong ito. Pero sa tingin ko, talagang patuloy lang dapat ang pagbabantay sa Comelec, patuloy lang talaga ‘yung pangungulit sa kanila,” he added.
(You wouldn’t wonder why there are people who have doubts and concerns with this. But, I think we should continue to guard the Comelec.)
“’Yun nga, ngayon maraming nagra-raise ng questions tungkol diyan at kailangan talagang ipaliwanag — at mas importante sa paliwanag — kailangang patunayan na may mga sapat na safeguards na ipapatupad para hindi talaga magkaroon ng magic sa darating na eleksyon kasi importanteng-importante ‘yung kredibilidad ng Comelec ‘di ba sa kahit anumang eleksyon,” he went on.
(Now, many people are raising questions on the issue and an explanation is needed — and more important than the explanation — there should be a proof that there are enough safeguards to avoid magic happening in the upcoming polls because Comelec’s credibility is very important in any elections.)
According to Gutierrez, this is not a good start for the 2022 elections as there are many individuals who have doubts this early.
However, he still hopes that the Comelec could provide answers to the public’s questions on the contract with F2 Logistics.
“So, umaasa tayo na ‘yung mga nagtatanong, mabibigyan ng kasagutan. ‘Yung humihingi ng kasiguruhan, ‘di ba na may mga safeguards tayo dito, mabibigyan sila nu’n. At patuloy lang tayo lahat kailangang magbantay dito sa prosesong ito,” Gutierrez said.
(We hope that those questioning this would be given answers. Those seeking assurance on the safeguards will be given. And let’s continue to guard in this process.)
Meanwhile, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez defended the poll body’s decision, saying F2 Logistics cannot tamper with the result of the automated elections.
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