A ‘love letter'
IRECEIVED numerous letters over the weekend. Some were invitations for Christmas parties, letter complaints, documents and credit cards and cellular phones billings. I opened these one by one last Monday morning while taking my breakfast together with my news staff at dySS Super Radyo Cebu newsroom. One of those letters was placed in a small-size brown envelop and wrapped in a big-size brown envelop that was heavily sealed with scotch tape. Here is the content of the letter:
“We know who you are. Like any other mortal, you'll bleed in some way or another. You are such a vulture on media opportunities to the point of giving life to a dead issue in a way more powerful than Lazarus. Let us correct you. Your lawyering based on the false information of your Capitol minions on the alleged corruption in the heavy equipment bidding will not place your commercially-driven media station on the top. You were invited to the bidding and yet you hid behind your shallow reasoning, so just pursue your media gimmickry that indeed there is something fishy in that petty deal.
“You're no different from that one lousy self-proclaimed whistle-blower Cris Saavedra. However, you still have an option and choose silence instead. We do not wish to disturb your peace. This is not a threat, unlike your cry-baby Saavedra was spreading in your column. And you stupidly published it despite the absence of any verification. Anytime, you know we can shoot you down. Should you pursue this senseless tirade, we will, no doubt play hardball on you. And it's going to be bloody. How's your son by the way?”
The letter was signed, “Truly yours, a friend.”
It's hard to pinpoint or suspect who the letter writer is. But I presume this came from persons at the Capitol who have a hand in the rebidding of that controversial purchase of light and heavy equipment. As you know, I am one of those who are very vocal in questioning the first bidding that was later declared a failure by Gov. Hilario Davide III. My “incessant discussions” of the issue have drawn the ire of the governor who called my action as “intervention.” Like me, Saavedra was also “castigated” by the governor for his “vigilance” on this deal. Earlier, Saavedra received the same “threat.”
Aber, kinsa may laing tawo nga mohulga nako? Kana ra gyud nga napagan sa akong komentaryo diha sa Capitol. Alangan man og atong pasanginlan ang Abu Sayyaf? Ang misuwat ani kadtong tawo nga adunay personal nga interes sa maong bidding pero napakgang gumikan sa atong expose.
Ang tawo o mga tawo nga walay labot anang isyuha dili magpakabana og suwatsuwat. Naa ra na nila ni sa mga opisyales nga nalambigit sa bidding process o mga alipores ni Governor Davide nga napusoy sa ilang panguwarta. I won't dignify and glorify this “threat.” To those who sent this letter, all I can say is, “Thank you. You made my day.”
Still, on the rebidding, I was furnished the letter of clarification from Mr. Felix Go, senior manager of JFV Commercial, one of the bidders for the purchase of the P252 million heavy equipment and who asked some clarifications from Atty. Mark Tolentino. Apparently, Go was confused by the sudden changes in the bidding specifications and requirements set by the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC).
Earlier, BAC required that the suppliers should meet the G7 standard of their equipment but later on it deleted the G7 standard in its requirement probably to accommodate their “favored supplier” who will supply China-made equipment. China is not a member of the G7 group, which is composed of rich and highly industrialized countries.
Go also questioned the sudden requirement that the supplier “must have an office in Cebu City and service center facilities will be available in Cebu City as and when needed.” The bidder explained that “having an office in Cebu City and having an office elsewhere in the country should not be the basis to measure a bidder's assurance and capability to supply and deliver the various brand new construction equipment.
Because if the purpose is for prompt and immediate maintenance and repair, the supplier can be contacted anytime by phone. If there are mechanical defects, the equipment, unlike cars, will not be brought to the office or service center. The repair personnel will go directly to the site where the equipment is located. Correct. Usa ra ang tumong ani sa taga BAC. Ang ilang padag-on gihapon kanang naka- advance na. Kamong bidders nga dili taga- Cebu, joker ra mo aning maong bidding-bidding diha sa Capitol. Believe me.