Comelec seeks full transparency, fairness in all procurement activities

The Commission on Elections is seeking to strengthen its procurement activities by ensuring full transparency, accountability and inclusivity, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said Monday.

The Comelec chief made the remark as he opened the first Comelec Procurement Summit which will run until July 18.

“Kinakailangan ng full transparency, accountability and inclusiveness. Hindi puwede na iilan lang ang nakakaalam, iilan lang ang magpa-participate, nae-exclude ang iba at pagkatapos ‘yung iba ay walang nalalaman sa kung paano at ano ang mga ginagawa, ang proseso ng Comelec lalo na when it comes sa procurement,” Garcia said.

(There is a need for full transparency, accountability and inclusiveness. It should not be that only a few know of and participate in Comelec processes especially when it comes to procurement.) 

Garcia emphasized the importance of procurement in the conduct of the elections, saying half of the preparations of the poll body involves purchasing of supplies and contracting of services.

“Akala natin ang Comelec, eleksyon lang…subalit tatandaan natin na kalahati ng preparasyon ng Comelec ay problema ng supplies, problema sa procurement at aaminin natin hindi mape-perform ng Comelec ang kanyang trabaho nang maayos kung wala kayong lahat..Partners namin kayo dito sa aming pagkakaroon ng halalan sa ating bansa,” Garcia said as he addressed different suppliers and contractors who attended the summit.

(We think that Comelec is just all about elections. But we should remember that half of the preparations of Comelec is about addressing the problems of supplies, procurement. And we admit that Comelec will not be able to do its job properly if you are not with us. You are our partners in having elections in the country.)

Garcia also disclosed that a Comelec procurement manual is currently being crafted. This, he said, will lay down the requirements, the guidelines, and the timeline for all procurements related to the elections.

Further, the Comelec chief said the poll body has conducted the procurement summit to ensure that there will be a level playing field and equal opportunities for all suppliers and contractors.

“Dati rati napapansin namin bakit lagi na lang sa mga procurement ito ito na lang ang mga pangalan na lumulutang? Bakit lagi na lang sila? Siguro dahil isa lang ang interesado sa Comelec procurement pero hindi naman po kapani-paniwala yon,” Garcia said.

(In the past we noticed that the same names float in procurement processes. Why is it always them? Maybe because only one [entity] is interested in Comelec procurement. But that is unbelievable.)

“Dapat po lahat may pagkakataon mag-participate sa Comelec. Dapat po wala kayong takot na mag-participate sa procurement namin dahil maayos naman basta kumpleto ang dokumento,” he added.

(Everyone should be given the opportunity in Comelec [procurement]. You should not have fears of participating in our procurement because the process is orderly as long as documents are complete.

Garcia also warned against padrino system in securing contracts from the poll body.

“'Wag mag-deviate sa kahit anong part ng process. Hindi por que may kakilala si ganito, kilala sa ganyan, lalo lang po kayong magkakaroon ng problema,” he said.

(Do not deviate in any part of the process. You will just have a problem if you will drop names of people you know.)

He told the suppliers and the contractors present at the summit to transact only with the relevant Comelec officers and comply with documentary requirements so they can participate in the poll body’s procurement activities.

During the two-day summit, the Comelec will discuss the general principles in government procurement, market analysis, participation in bidding activities, contract performance, and other procurement-related matters for the Comelec’s Bids and Awards Committee, Infrastructure Bids and Awards Committee, and Special Bids and Awards Committee. —KG, GMA Integrated News