Comelec formally awards election supply contract to Dennis Uy’s F2 Logistics

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has signed a P535-million deal with F2 Logistics, a firm linked to businessman Dennis Uy, a major contributor to President Rodrigo Duterte's 2016 presidential campaign.

Under the contract, dated October 29, Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas and Efren Uy, president of F2 Logistics, agreed on the deployment of election equipment, peripherals, forms supplies and paraphernalia with provision of warehousing services in Eleksyon 2022.

The signed document also indicated these four lots or areas of coverage:

• Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos,  Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon - P106 million
• Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Bicol Region - P123 million
• Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas - P120.9 million
• Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, Caraga and Bangsamoro region - P185.9 million

The Notice of Award was approved by the Comelec en banc in August 2021 but F2 Logistics was only able to receive it on Sept. 15, 2021. 

As indicated under Article 3 of the contract, F2 Logistics is assigned to deliver all automated election system-related equipment such as vote counting machines, consolidation and canvassing system machines, official ballots, ballot boxes and election day computerized voters' lists, among others.

"All official ballots dispatched from the NPO and/or other Comelec warehouses must be transported directly to the designated airports/ports of origin from Manila up to the designated consignees nationwide," read the contract.

"No unauthorized holding shall be allowed at the Hubs of the provider unless necessity for said holding is clearly established with prior advise to and approval of the Comelec through its PSC," it added.

Further, the contract also stated that F2 Logistics will be liable for any loss of or damage to cargoes. Within 24 hours, it must also notify the poll  body about losses or damage to cargoes.

Prior to awarding the contract, poll body spokesman James Jimenez said that Davao-based F2 Logistics will only deliver the election equipment but not supply it.

'Potential conflict of interest'

Pollster watchdog Kontra Daya called on Comelec to pull out from the contract because of the company's links to a Duterte ally, which could pose a "potential conflict of interest."

Uy, a Davao businessman, contributed P30 million to Duterte's campaign in 2016.

Although F2 Logistics has a track record of deploying equipment in the 2019 SK Elections, the watchdog's convenor Professor Danilo Arao insisted that the delivery equipment deal is an "issue of ethics and delicadeza."

"Kaya lang ibang usapin ang presidential elections. Gaya ng nabanggit, P30 million ang binigay ni Dennis Uy sa presidential campaign ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte," said Arao, in a radio interview.

(This is different because it is the presidential election. Like what was said before, Dennis Uy contributed P30 million to Duterte's presidential campaign in 2016.)

"Hindi na usapin ng legality. Usapin na po ito ng propriety... Dapat ma-cancel na itong kontrata para walang potential conflict of interest," he added.

(This isn't an issue of legality. It's an issue of propriety. It should be canceled so that there will be no potential conflict of interest.)

He also warned that public's doubts on Comelec's contract with F2 Logistics could discourage voters from exercising their right of suffrage in 2022.

"Sana pakinggan ng Comelec ang hinaing hindi lang ng Kontra Daya. Kasi nandun ang elemento ng agam-agam at kung nandiyan pa rin yan hanggang Mayo anuwebe, talagang magkakaroon ng pagduda iyong mga tao at huwag sana umabot ito sa disenfranchisement," he said.

(We hope Comelec will listen to our calls and the doubts of other groups as well. Because if these doubts will continue until May 9, 2022, it could lead to disenfranchisement.)

"To the point na baka di na sila maboto kasi na-compromise na yung clean and honest elections," Arao also pointed out.

(They might not vote anymore because the clean and honest elections will be compromised.) — BM, GMA News