Comelec to look into concerns vs. F2 Logistics for Eleksyon 2022

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday said it is looking into calls for a probe into F2 Logistics—linked to Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy—which won the bidding for the logistics contract of the 2022 elections.

Comelec Chair Sheriff Abas said he ordered the Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC) to look into F2 Logistics' link to Uy, a known major supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte during his 2016 presidential campaign.

“Sabi ko nga sa aming Special BAC, tignan niyo ‘yan kasi mainam din na maklaro natin pero sa initial na alam ko, hindi F2 but 2GO ‘yung kaniyang ownership,” he told reporters in a virtual briefing.

[I told our Special BAC to look into that because we have to clarify this, but initially, what I know is that he owns 2GO and not F2.]

This comes as the Comelec’s SBAC declared F2 Logistics as the bidder with the lowest calculated bid for the P1.61-billion contract. This covers the deployment of  election equipment, peripherals, forms, supplies, and paraphernalia, and warehousing for next year’s elections.

Uy serves as the chairman of F2 Logistics, based on a regulatory filing of Chelsea Logistics and Infrastructure Corporation, which he founded and where he also sits as chairman.

F2 Logistics Philippines Inc. was listed as a joint venture of Udenna Management & Resources Corporation on the 2020 annual report of Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc.

Udenna Management and Resources is in turn fully owned by Udenna Corporation, with Uy sitting as chairman and CEO.

Uy donated P30 million to Duterte’s 2016 campaign, while his wife Cherylyn donated P1 million, according to data gathered by GMA News Research.

“‘Di naman automatic ‘yan dahil contributor siya eh disqualified na siya. Alam naman natin na karamihan ng mga negosyanteng mga malalaki, nagco-contribute naman ‘yan sa iba’t ibang mga [politiko]. Hindi naman ‘yan automatic,” said Abas.

“Depende pa rin ‘yan sa GPPB policy, kapag sa post-qualification, that could be one of the disqualification, so ma-d-DQ siya, but I don’t think so na may ganong mga requirements,” he explained, referring to the Government Procurement Policy Board.

[It is not automatic that he is a contributor, he is disqualified. We all know that most of the businessmen, they contribute to different (politicians). That is not automatic… It will depend on the GPPB. If in the post-qualification, that could be one of the disqualifications, he will be disqualified, but I don’t think there are requirements like that.]

Abas also clarified that while the bidding was already finished, post-qualification works are still ongoing.

“Wala pa ata, wala pa kaming nadesiyunan regarding sa logistics part,” he said.

[None yet, we have not yet decided on the logistics part.]

F2 Logistics bested LBC Express, Airspeed International, and 2GO Express Inc. in the bidding, which will be in charge of the delivery and logistics of all automated equipment for the elections. According to its business profile on its website, F2 Logistics Philippines was established a decade ago as a service oriented transport company in domestic forwarding.

“Sa mga initial na alam ko, si Dennis Uy naman, I think una niyang binili is 2GO eh, hindi ‘yung F2 Logistics. 2GO I think with SM, and then parang kung ‘di ako nagkakamali, binenta niya rin ‘yung shares niya sa SM. Hindi siya F2 but 2GO,” said Abas.

Chelsea Logistics in March signed agreements to divest its holdings in 2GO, estimated at 31.73% of the company, to SM Investments Corporation. The buyout was completed in June.

In the same briefing, Abas said the Comelec is still looking into the two factions of the PDP-Laban, and which of them will be declared legitimate in the 2022 elections.

“Magiging madugo ‘yan dahil parang boxing ‘yan. Heavyweights ‘yung mga involved diyan. It’s Pacquiao versus Cusi, so tignan natin,” he said, but declined to elaborate on the developments.

[That will be bloody like a boxing match, as heavyweights are involved. It’s Pacquiao versus Cusi so let’s see.]

He was referring to the infighting in the ruling party, with the Duterte-backed group led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi "ousting" Senator Manny Pacquiao from the presidency during a national assembly last month and installing the former in the position. A week earlier, Pacquiao had "expelled" Cusi. The Pacquiao faction, which includes Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, refused to recognize the assembly. — BM, GMA News