The proposed National Identification System, deemed to be an effective resort for the distribution of government’s emergency subsidy to Filipinos during this COVID-19 crisis, was seen marred with inconsistencies and anomalies when the program's chief implementor, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), failed to scrutinize the bidders' contentious reputations.
Makabayan bloc member, Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate has questioned the reputation of Joint Venture Idemia Identity and Security France and FMC Research Solutions Inc., for being dubious before winning the lowest bid for the procurement of supply, installation, support and maintenance of the Automated Biometric Identification System for the said project.
The bloc, meanwhile, supported Rep. Zarate's claims and alleged the PSA for failing to scrunized the Idemia, who won the ABIS bid amounting to P683 Million, with Bid Reference No. Public Bidding No. 2019-08.
It said that PSA chief, Undersecretary Claire Dennis Mapa, had already informed JV Idemia first week of April, 2020, that they won the bid without releasing an official Notice of Award for this procurement.
"It has been way more than 60 calendar days since the opening of bids which exceeds the maximum allowable aggregate post qualification period of 30 calendar days based on the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Republic Act. No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act," according to a letter to then National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director Ernesto Pernia dated March 16, 2020, asking for a thorough investigation and intervention.