A cellphone video footage posted on YouTube showing a poll automation bidder and the head of the election agency in charge of the bidding process signing documents in a toilet is the latest controversy rocking the poll automation process.

The footage is supposedly showing contractor Felipe Cruz Sr., whose company FF Cruz is part of the consortium that includes Israeli firm Gilat, signing additional documents in a toilet reportedly at the Comission on Election (Comelec) building. The consortium is one of the bidders for the P11. billion-worth poll automation project for the 2010 elections. Ferdinand Rafanan, Comelec chairman 2for the Special Bids and Awards Committee, is overseeing the bidding.

The caption that accompanied the cellphone footage alleges that Rafanan has allowed Cruz to insert the additional documents the latter was shown signing even after the deadline. The caption said the video was taken on May 6, 2010 at 5:29 p.m.

The contractor's son, however, came out to defend the poll bidder. Felipe Cruz Jr. told ABS-CBN News that the documents being signed in the bathroom has nothing to do with the bidding. Instead, Cruz Jr. said the papers were for the purchase of an island in Coron in northern Palawan province.

"The documents needed to be signed or we'll miss the opportunity to buy the land," said Cruz Jr. who added that he already has 3 islands in the Coron area. "We want to put up a resort there better than [those in] Bali and Phuket."

Meantime, Comelec director Rafanan dismissed allegations he is favoring the Gilat-Cruz consortium. He said it would be difficult to insert documents after the bidding deadlline since their boxes are tightly sealed nd the process is closely monitored by observers of the poll automation project. He added that a CCTV camera stands guard to capture everyone's movement.

Rafanan also challenged the YouTube video author to come out in the open. "The one who took the video shld be identified. He should come out and tell everybody."

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez told ABS-CBN News that Comelect chairman Jose Melo has already asked the National Bureau of Investigation and the resident ombudsman to conduct their own investigation to remove all doubts on the integrity of the bidding process.

On Friday, the Rafanan said the Special Bids and Awards Committee has declared 2 consortia to eligible to vie for the P11.2 billion poll automation project. He said the bid of Gilat-FF Cruz consortium is still being reviewed. – with reports from Timi Nubla, ABS-CBN News