Ombudsman to probe ballot folder controversy

On its own initiative, the Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday announced it would conduct an investigation to determine whether there is anything anomalous with the Commission on Elections’ allegedly overpriced ballot secrecy folders to be used in the May polls. A statement from the office said Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez ordered the creation of a task force to spearhead the inquiry, which would focus on the P690-million contract the Comelec nearly signed with supplier OTC (One Time Carbon) Paper Supply. "The task force will evaluate the procedure conducted by the Bids and Awards Committee of the Comelec to determine if it is in accord with [Republic Act No.] 9184, the Government Procurement Reform Act," Gutierrez said. GMANews.TV tried but failed to reach Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez for comment as of posting time. The contract covers supply and delivery of 1,815,000 pieces of 25-inch long ballot secrecy folders priced at P380 each. On Monday, the Comelec cancelled the contract after finding the price was "extravagant beyond the ordinary needs of the Commission." Comelec Chairman Jose Melo likewise admitted the poll body committed a lapse in judgment when it awarded the contract. Comelec executive director Jose Tolentino, who supposedly recommended the OTC for the award, and Bids and Awards committee chair Lea Alarkon, had already insisted that they followed the proper procurement process in choosing OTC to supply the folders. OTC Paper Supply had likewise denied the contract was tainted with anomaly. Last Wednesday, it said it would ask the Comelec to reconsider its decision to scrap the contract because the supplier had already spent P500 million for the folders’ materials. OTC company manager Henry Young said that it would exhaust all legal remedies, including elevating the matter to the courts. He also denied that the folders were overpriced. Ordinary plastic boards with binders are currently priced anywhere from P200 to P300 in bookstores. The price OTC offered is reasonable because the folders will be compromised, he said. The company has already received a notice from the Comelec informing them of the arrangement’s cancellation on Wednesday morning. — Sophia Dedace/RSJ/KBK, GMANews.TV