Rigged bidding or poison pill for Ebdane?

Was it an accident? Or was it on purpose?

These are just two of the many serious questions that Secretary Jun Ebdane and AFP Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon should ask about a premature press release that declared a winner in an AFP bidding even before the process was completed and announced.

Considering the many headaches of the DND and the AFP such as the kidnapping of Jonas Burgos, accusations that an Army commander forced his men to vote 12-0 for Team Unity, they do not need accusations of rigged bidding or for its programs to be torpedoed.

The AFP is currently bidding out a P400 million fixed communications system project. In the on-going process two companies have topped the short list. One is a major international telecommunications company, the US-based Lucent Technologies.

Lucent Technologies recently merged with the French firm Alcatel, making the company more potent with their track record in servicing both military and consumer telecommunications requirements.

The second bidder in the short list is an Israeli company called Ceragon Networks which is principally based in Hong Kong but has been described as a distributor/provider of machinery, computers, etc.

The premature press release is certain to cause alarm bells ringing since the formal announcements allegedly have not been made. A check with AFP insiders confirmed that Secretary Ebdane has yet to receive the final decision of the bids and awards committee.

To a forgiving soul, one can easily say it was a mistake or a "lapse in judgment". Unfortunately, the premature press release could also lead to an abortion.

If the alleged winner knew even before the decision was announced, this would open up the entire AFP Bids and Awards committee to suspicion and accusations that the bidding was rigged.

But for veteran press release writers, the premature press release was crafted in a very interesting manner. Normally, winners simply say they won, period. But in this particular case, it was noticeable that the article pointed out that the winner’s price was lower than their closest competitor.

In PR strategies, the article establishes the point of advantage or justifies why they won or why they should win, in case someone challenges the result. This also makes them the popular choice until qualifications or adherence to the rules become the real issue.

The suspicion here is that if the alleged winner actually loses, they can use both the lost "victory" and price difference as their battle cry.

The worst scenario which only a suspicious guy like me can conjure is that a premature press release can be a poison pill.

Sec. Ebdane and General Esperon should determine if the whole thing is an honest mistake or a self-destruct mechanism designed to destroy the outcome in order for a new bidding to be done.

It reminds me of basketball games where the players simply start a rumble when they realize they can’t beat the other team.

In the case of the premature press release, it would be difficult to excuse the potential damage to a process that involves P400 million as well as the needs of the republic’s Armed Forces.

In sports any false start or false finish is given only one award… a disqualification.

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Still on short lists, 3 names have been submitted to Malacañang so that President Arroyo can select the next appointee to the Supreme Court.

A surprise candidate on the list is the Court of Appeals Presiding Justice Ruben Reyes who has always been a bridesmaid but never a bride. Unlike other candidates before him, Reyes has not been blessed with strong political patrons nor does he have the savvy of a power broker. In fact others call him "probinsyano".

To further put him down, his age was always used to reduce his viability as a Supreme Court Justice. After five disappointments most people in the judiciary have written him off, hinted that he should just stop hoping, while a couple have gone to great lengths to use media to cut him down.

Ironically, PJ Reyes, with the support of the Court of Appeals justices have achieved what many thought would be difficult.

They have managed to decide and dispose of more cases than have been filed. While some people are annoyed with PJ Reyes’ determination to remove the backlog, they also appreciate the achievement and the respect that it generates for the court.

In his effort to address needs or concerns of Justices with fairness, Reyes has earned the displeasure of some who want to get ahead of the line in terms of trips, perks, and cars.

This year will probably be his last chance at becoming a member of the Supreme Court. To those who have watched him brave the slings and arrows, it matters not if he wins the prize. Reyes has shown them that neither age, social standing, nor sophistication matters.

What matters is to love the institution you work for, to continue to aspire for greater goals in the face of discouragement even from those you have served and shared a meal. To keep the faith.

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Before you vote please read, study and reflect on a book that talks about kamag-anak incorporated, misappropriation of funds, hiring goons and political violence…

"One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the Olive tree, "Be our King". But the Olive tree said, "Should I give up my oil by which both gods and men are honored, to hold sway over trees?"

Next the trees said to the Fig tree, "Be our King". But the Fig tree replied, "Should I give up my fruit so good and sweet, to hold sway over the trees?"

Then the trees said to the Vine, "Come and be our King". But the Vine answered, "Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and men, to hold sway over the trees?"

Finally, all the trees said to the thorn bush (like the aroma tree), "come and be our King".

The Book is "Judges" the episode is Chapter 9: Abimelech. (It’s all part of the Bible).

"The only thing needed for evil to succeed, is for good men to do nothing".