Service provider asked to explain poll items found in vacant lot

MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Monday it has directed its service provider, F2 Logistics, to explain the poll paraphernalia found in a vacant lot in Amadeo, Cavite.

“The Packing and Shipping Committee headed by Dir. Theddeus Hernan will fully investigate everything. In fact, he has issued a directive to F2 Logistics to account for everything,” acting spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said in a press conference.

The F2 Logistics has been tapped to transport all election equipment, supplies, and paraphernalia for the May 9 polls.

Meanwhile, Hernan said they have verbally communicated with the executives of the company.

“They really need to explain to us the reasons why. There are things they would have to explain in their formal report to us,” he added.

Comelec Commissioner George Garcia assured the public that those involved in the incident will be held accountable once liabilities have been established.

“There is a contract. And if there is a violation of contract and they aren’t able to satisfy their contractual obligation, then we can always rescind the contract,” Garcia said.

“At the same time, we can always prosecute. Remember that an election offense is not just for prior to the elections,” he added.

The dumped election materials were from the Jose Rizal Elementary School polling center in Tondo, Manila.

The F2 Logistics bagged the PHP535.9 million contract to handle the deployment and the return of all election supplies, including the vote counting machines, used in the last May 9 polls.