Mejica justifies distribution of VIS printing job
The printing job of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for paraphernalia intended to Western Visayas was done in accordance with government-prescribed rules and regulations. Once awarded, it was also executed as so stated in the Contract for Printing, "equitably and justly."
Such was the clarification of Rosendo Mejica II, general manager of Makinaugalingon Printer and Bookbinder and President of the Iloilo Printing Industry Association amidst questions now raised on said transaction.
The contract called for the printing of over3.6 million in Voters Information Sheet (VIS) with the work awarded last April 24th and delivery sought eleven days after in May 6. Total contract price was P9,167,882.50 or P2.50 per set in what Mejica explained was a "take it or leave it" condition.
The printing job was awarded by Comelec regional director Renato Magbutay to Mejica who leads a group of printers under the Iloilo Printing Industry Association.
Work was distributed to eight other printers based on their production capability in order to have it finished before the deadline set by the Comelec.
As per meeting of the Iloilo Printers Association, a unanimous decision was reached to identify four areas of assignment for member-printers. Present in said meeting were Mejica, Engineer Elsa Seguiban of Seguiban Printers, association vice president, Dorothy Bornales of Gaphic Etc., Elena Malones of Malones Printing Press (Mappress), Ramy Galanto of D'4 Angels,Valentin Go of V-Print, Jean Badilles of Panorama and a representative from Panay News. Chito Miclat of Chem Printers also signified his intention to take part in the printing job.
The assignment had Panorama, V-Print and Mappres for printing job needed for Province of Negros Occidental except the towns of Toboso, Valladolid and Victorias City. VIS for the Province of Capiz and Guimaras went to Seguiban Press. Panay News and Chem Printers were given the works for Province of Aklan and Negros Occidental towns not assigned to Panorama, V-Print and Mappres. Makinaugalingon Press, Graphic Etc., and D'4 Angels worked on the printing jobs for the Province of Antique and Province of Iloilo.
"We based the areas of assignment depending on the production capability and capacity to deliver of our member-printers. There was equitable distribution and we did our part of the deal -- delivered the VIS on time though we have yet to be paid up to now. And our deliveries were subjected to verification and inspection of the Commission on Audit (COA)," Mejica explained.
Mejica also welcomed the charges reportedly filed by Panay News publisher Daniel Fajardo relative to the transaction.
"I will face it. Any way the truth will come out," Mejica said.
VIS printing was for a total of 133 municipalities and cities of Western Visayas broken down to 17 in Aklan, 18 in Antique, 17 in Capiz, 5 in Guimaras, 44 in Iloilo and 32 in Negros Occidental.