Questionable selectionsTo carry out the work, the UNDP selected Speedcast Ltd., an Australian company based in Hong Kong, with an extensive portfolio of satellite internet projects to its credit. The first problem was UNDP’s selection of Speedcast as a contractor. The second serious problem detailed by the CoA report was in the selection of sites for the internet connection facilities. There is no evidence that Philcomsat was a party to the technical smuggling or was even aware it was happening. Speedcast, or more specifically, a couple of its employees, committed outright criminal fraud in handling imports, and exercised poor judgment in selecting internet sites.

Source: Manila Times May 15, 2021 16:07 UTC