Malacañang on Friday dismissed accusations from the Binay camp that it is planning to hijack the May elections through the National Printing Office (NPO).
“Walang planong pagkontrol sa halalan at walang kinalaman ang kaso (laban sa ilang opisyal ng NPO). Subok and kakayahan ng NPO; may integridad ang mga opisyal at proseso nito,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told media.
(There is no plan to control the elections and it has nothing to do with the cases filed against some NPO officials. The NPO is tried and tested; its officials and its processes have integrity.)
Last year, the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal of NPO Director Emmanuel Andaya, Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Chairman Sylvia Banda and BAC members Josefina Samson, Antonio Sillona, Bernadette Lagumen and Ma. Gracia Enriquez.
They were found guilty of grave misconduct because of the anomalous procurement of printing services worth P1.9 million. Earlier reports said the six officials have remained in service because they filed a pending motion for reconsideration.
United Nationalist Alliance, which is supporting the candidacy of Vice President Jejomar Binay, said it was suspicious that Malacañang was letting the Palace-appointed officials remain in office.
UNA, quoting its spokesperson Mon Ilagan, posted on Twitter, “May basehan ang pagdududa na nilalatag na ang pundasyon para dayain si Vice President Binay sa eleksyon.”
(Our suspicions that they are laying the foundation to cheat Vice President Binay in the elections have a basis.)
He said it was worrisome that the officials are still holding their posts.
“Ang tanong: bahagi ba ito ng cheating plan ng Administrasyon para maipanalo ang mga manok nila sa eleksyon?” he further asked.
(Our question: Is this part of the Administration’s cheating plan to ensure the victory of their bets during the election?)
On Thursday, Coloma said, “The cases filed against certain officials of the NPO will not in any way hamper its operations including the printing of the official ballots. The officials involved have filed their respective motions for reconsideration to the Office of the Ombudsman order and are awaiting its resolution.”
The NPO, an agency attached to the Coloma-led Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), is set to print 57 million ballots for the May elections.
READ: NPO to print 57M ballots