Comelec defers release of report into ballot folder deal

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has deferred the release of a report into the P690-million ballot secrecy folder contract by two weeks owing to the lack of documents. Comelec law department head Ferdinand Rafanan, head of the three-man panel that conducted the probe, said results may be released on June 18. "We're just wrapping up and completing the picture so it will be clear and not sketchy leaving many questions unanswered," Rafanan told reporters in an interview on Tuesday. The delay in the investigation was caused by the Comelec’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) which reportedly failed to supply the investigative panel with documents needed to fill some "major gaps" in their findings. "Meron silang ibinigay, hindi lahat (They give us documents, but not all)," he said. Comelec chairman Jose Melo earlier admitted that the Comelec en banc and the BAC committed a "lapse" in judgment when it awarded the contract to supply and deliver 1,815,000 pieces of 25-inch long ballot secrecy folders for P690 million to One Time Carbon (OTC) Paper Supply. The poll body eventually scrapped the contract because it was supposedly "extravagant beyond the ordinary needs of the Commission." It also said that the number of folders to be purchased exceeded the total number that may actually be used during the elections. In an earlier interview, BAC chairman Lea Alarkon said that Rafanan has been sending them notices regarding the probe and that committee have complied with these orders. "We believe we have submitted all the records concerning the procurement... the documents will speak for itself," she said. On Tuesday, Alarkon could not be immediately reached for her comments. Rafanan said the panel will no longer give details until the investigation has been completed. "Talagang ethics of investigation yun (This is in compliance with the ethics of investigation)," he said, adding that he does not need a gag order to keep quiet about the issue. The poll body has also asked the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate the ballot folder controversy. Rafanan said the Ombudsman may release their own findings on June 23. - Kimberly Jane T. Tan/RJAB Jr./RSJ, GMANews.TV