2GO denies causing pullout of TIM from consortium with Smartmatic

CEBU, Philippines - 2GO, the cargo delivery arm of the Aboitiz Group of Companies, denied allegations that it caused the pullout of Total Information Management from the consortium with Smartmatic Corporation, the provider of machinery for the automation project for next year’s polls.

In a press release sent by spokesperson Carol Ballesteros, 2GO denied the misconceptions created by recent news releases that 2GO had something to do with the pullout.

The consortium, however, was saved after seven hours of negotiations in Manila yesterday, which means, the automated elections next year will push through.

The P7.2 poll automation project was almost foiled when TIM pulled out from the consortium earlier this week. Comelec gave Smartmatic and TIM until yesterday to iron out differences.

Ballesteros said, the extent of Aboitiz Group’s involvement in the Comelec’s Automation Project, including its relationship with Smartmatic/TIM, is solely that of a cargo delivery contractor.

“Contrary to reports, there is no relationship by blood or marriage between the Aboitiz family and the family of Jose Mari Antunez, president of TIM,” 2GO said.

According to news reports, TIM rejected the proposal of Smartmatic because it was reportedly “contrary to the nature of a joint venture and would expose it to possible violations of Philippine laws.”

TIM’s fear of exposure to “possible violation of Philippine laws,” sources familiar with the deal said, was prompted by the entry of a person with the highest political connections into the deal as a “carried” partner” or one who wants to get a piece of the action without contributing a single centavo.

The fear of Antunez was that his company might violate the law was triggered when an associate saw the “powerful person” huddled with a Smartmatic principal and a member of a prominent business family from Cebu at the coffee shop of a Makati hotel last month.

Even Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño called for an inquiry into “how TIM entered into the picture and who brokered their joint venture with Smartmatic.”

Casiño said his curiosity over TIM’s connections was piqued when he found out that a brother of Antuñez, Julio, was married to one of the Aboitiz scions.

The Aboitiz family is close to President Macapagal-Arroyo and is based in Cebu, regarded as an administration bailiwick. — Ferliza C. Contratista/JMO (THE FREEMAN)