Ombudsman to probe Comelec ballot folders By Marie A. Surbano and Benjamin B. Pulta 04/09/2010

P30-M UV lamp purchase done in haste, PPCRV charges poll body Ombudsman to probe Comelec ballot folders By Marie A. Surbano and Benjamin B. Pulta 04/09/2010 Motu propio, the Office of the Ombudsman yesterday announced it will initiate an investigation into allegations on the near consummation of the contract involving the anomalous and highly overpriced “secrecy folders” entered into by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) with OTC Paper Supply which were to be utilized for the May polls. Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez said she had ordered the creation of a task force to spearhead the inquiry, which would focus on the P690-million contract, adding that the “task force will evaluate the procedure conducted by the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Comelec to determine if it is in accord with Republic Act No. 9184, the Government Procurement Reform Act.” Earlier in the day, a complaint for graft was filed before the Office of the Ombudsman against former and incumbent officials of the Comelec in connection with alleged irregularities in “small scale” procurement contracts entered into by the poll body during the 2008 elections in Mindanao. In a 10-page joint complaint-affidavit, the petitioners led by lawyer Harry Roque said their complaint proves that “anomalies similar to those done in the recent P700 million peso poll scam contract are entrenched in certain parts of the Comelec Bids and Awards Committee process.” Leading those named respondents in the complaint was former Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100409hed1.html

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