6 bid for Capitol security

CEBU, Philippines - Following the controversy in the bidding process of Capitol’s security, at least six security firms are trying their luck to get the P27 million contract.

“Yes, of course. That is why we were here to join,” Capitol’s public information office quoted Alex Montañez as saying. Montañez is the president of Davao Cavaliers Security Agency.

Davao Cavaliers was not among the agencies that participated in the controversial bidding that led to the resignation of then Bids and Awards Committee chairman Orvi Ortega.

Ortega allegedly rigged the process after Capitol allowed bidder Black Pearl to provide its services even before they were declared as supposed winner. Ortega has denied manipulating the process and receiving money from Black Pearl.

At the height of the controversy, BAC announced that Black Pearl had to undergo a last round of evaluation first before the contract would be awarded to the agency. While this post-qualification process was conducted, one of Black Pearl’s guards allegedly shot a motorcycle-for-hire driver. Before this incident, however, BAC reportedly discovered that Black Pearl did not actually meet the qualifications.

 Before the agency was dropped from the short list, Capitol revamped the members of BAC and moved Ortega as vice chairman. 

The committee then reconsidered the remaining bidders Tactical Security Services and GDS Security and Detective Agency and General Services.

 Tactical and GDS are back in the bidding, this time, without Black Pearl. (FREEMAN)