Biz Buzz: Stink at BOC

The plot thickens in the ongoing P650-million bidding process for the computerization of the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) systems.

The scheme calls for the design, implementation, operation and maintenance of a so-called Integrated Customs Processing System and a National Single Window facility.

The project aims to achieve a fully electronic, paperless, human contact-free processing of all customs transactions, as well as a single decision-making point for BOC’s release and clearance of cargo.

But here’s the thing: Out of five bidders who submitted eligibility documents, only one ended on the short list.

Naturally, questions have been raised by the disqualified bidders as to the capabilities of this lone bidder, Omni Prime Marketing and its foreign partner, Intrasoft of Greece.

Based on its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, it has been established that the local partner of this lone bidder, which gets to partake of 60 percent of the contract, has maintained only three employees in the past several years.

So, the question the other bidders are asking now is this: How can a P650-million government contract be executed by a company with only three employees?

But more curious are reports that the head of Omni Prime Marketing belongs to a powerful business family which was supposed to be among the fund raisers of President Aquino during the last presidential elections.

It is believed that no less than the chair of Omni Prime is the power behind a group within the BOC and its bids and awards committee. Could this be why only one bidder emerged from the process? Hmmm.

How powerful is this family? Aside from being a generous campaign contributor to the current administration’s coffers, one of its members is closely related to one of the most trusted cabinet officials in Malacañang.

The initials of this family member, in fact, are the same as those of a presidential team official who holds office in a building on Timog Avenue in Quezon City, which is also where the headquarters of the corporate empire of this powerful family is located, according to our source.

Should the government decide to award the contract to this firm, the disqualified bidders worry that smuggling activities will turn into “fully electronic, paperless, human contact-free processing with a single decision-making point for its Customs release and clearance of cargo.”

Perhaps this is not the kind of legacy President Aquino will want to leave behind. Daxim L. Lucas

DOF’s new digs

The Department of Finance (DOF) plans to move into its new home by 2017 and it intends to spend P3 billion for the construction of its new office.

Finance Undersecretary Gil S. Beltran told BizBuzz last week that the groundbreaking for the new main office building was scheduled for July this year. It is expected to be completed in two years, with the design process already started.

As BizBuzz earlier reported, the new office would rise at the women’s park next to the building currently being occupied by the DOF, within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas compound.

The new building would have 20 floors, with four levels for parking, Beltran said.

“We may get the DOF-MIS [management information systems department], BTr [Bureau of the Treasury], BOC [Bureau of Customs] and some BIR [Bureau of Internal Revenue] offices in there,” Beltran said, although the list of DOF agencies that would occupy the new building was “not yet final.”

At present, the BIR’s main office is in Quezon City. The Treasury occupies the restored Ayuntamiento building in Intramuros, Manila, while the BOC is located at the Port Area in Manila. Ben O. de Vera

Conflicted

At a recent press conference to launch an international food event in Manila, staff members of a government-owned and -controlled corporation spearheading the affair were visibly nervous and were wondering if they would be audited by the Commission on Audit.

The reason was that the press conference was arranged by an event organizer whose head also sits on the board of the said GOCC.

The staff realized it was a clear case of conflict of interest, and the organization of the event wasn’t even auctioned off as it should have been.

Biz Buzz checked the website of the GOCC and did not see any notice or announcement of a bidding for the event organization. Hmmm. Daxim L. Lucas

Failed scheme

So Mr. Politician from the Visayas married Ms Heiress of a business empire, and had two beautiful children—a girl and boy. Their happiness was short-lived, however, as Mr. Politician had a wandering eye, and currently flaunts his latest paramour in his home province.

Last year, Ms Heiress—whose business eventually failed—was hospitalized after suffering a stroke. But Mr. Politician prohibited his wife’s friends from even visiting her. Thinking his wife was about to die, Mr. Politician and the children practically raided the entire family home and emptied it of its precious contents including high-priced furniture, artwork, and even Ms Heiress’ jewelry.

Ms Heiress, however, recovered and eventually tried to recuperate at home. But her children kept on harassing her and made her life miserable.

According to our source, one of them even tried to push their poor mother down the stairs.

Just to get some peace of mind, she left the family home and moved into a condominium unit where she lives with a helper.

Last we heard, Mr. Politician and the children were still trying to recover whatever remains of the dwindling fortune of Ms Heiress. Daxim L. Lucas

Illusions

The rumors in the cocktail circuit had it that this former broadcast network executive resigned from her post because she fell in love with a rancher from the United States. However, the truth was that she was actually fired from her job after acting so “high and mighty” at work, our sources say.

One of the network owners with whom she’s actually related has even had frequent run-ins with her.

She has been described by insiders as a “know-it-all” who doesn’t show any respect to the network bosses, and always acts as if she’s the one who comes up with better ideas, not her relatives. Having had enough of her, the network owner told her unceremoniously that her services was no longer needed by the company.

And what about her rumored rancher? Our sources say she has been known to concoct tall tales about her love life. This woman—who was widowed a few years ago—has actually had her eye on a tech billionaire and has been wanting to marry him.

One friend bravely asked her if they actually knew each other, and Ms Ex-Network Executive admitted that they didn’t. But that still wouldn’t stop her from hounding him in the United States just for the chance to meet him. Daxim L. Lucas

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