(UPDATE) The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has made a significant decision to disqualify and disallow technology provider Smartmatic Philippines Inc. from participating in all its public bidding and procurement processes. This decision comes as a result of questionable procurement practices during the 2016 elections, which were won by Smartmatic.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia emphasized that this disqualification is unrelated to the petition filed against Smartmatic in June by former Information and Communications Technology secretary Eliseo Rio, former Comelec commissioner Augusto “Gus” Lagman, Franklin Ysaac, and Leonardo Odono.
The disqualification of Smartmatic by the Comelec en banc is rooted in the request for official documents from the United States government. The US government is investigating former Comelec chairman Juan Andres Bautista and other individuals and entities for alleged violations of US criminal laws, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering.
The Comelec resolution states that Bautista, who served as the Chairman of the Commission, was formally charged in September 2023 for allegedly receiving bribes in exchange for awarding a contract for election machines to Smartmatic Corp. The resolution further reveals that Bautista and others are accused of laundering the bribe money through multiple entities, including a foreign shell company.
The allegations against Smartmatic and former Chairman Bautista have become public knowledge, leading to speculation and distrust of the electoral process. The Comelec recognizes the gravity of these allegations and the potential threat they pose to the strength and integrity of democratic processes.
By disallowing Smartmatic’s participation in future elections and referring the matter to the Special Bids and Awards Committee for possible permanent disqualification and blacklisting from all government procurement proceedings, the Comelec aims to safeguard the integrity of the electoral system.
The disqualification of Smartmatic is significant considering the company’s history with the Comelec. Smartmatic has won all the biddings for the Comelec’s election automation projects since 2010. However, in 2015, Smartmatic was initially post-disqualified by the SBAC for failing to submit valid articles of incorporation and for its demo unit’s failure to meet system requirements. The Comelec en banc later reversed this decision.
Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon praised the Comelec’s decision, stating, “The Comelec just did the best and timely move, disqualifying Smartmatic from participating in any upcoming and future elections in the Philippines.”
This decision by the Comelec raises important questions about the procurement protocols and the public’s confidence in the electoral system. The disqualification of Smartmatic serves as a reminder of the need for transparency, accountability, and adherence to the highest standards in the electoral process.
As the Philippines continues to strive for fair and credible elections, it is crucial for the Comelec to address any concerns and ensure that the procurement processes are free from any hint of impropriety. The decision to disqualify Smartmatic sends a strong message that any compromise in the electoral process will not be tolerated.
With this development, the Comelec must now explore alternative technology providers and ensure that the upcoming elections are conducted with utmost transparency and integrity. The public’s confidence in the electoral system hinges on the Comelec’s ability to address these concerns and restore faith in the democratic process.
In conclusion, the Comelec’s disqualification of Smartmatic from participating in public bidding and procurement processes is a significant step towards safeguarding the integrity of the electoral system. It is crucial for the Comelec to address any concerns raised by the allegations and ensure that future elections are conducted with transparency and adherence to the highest standards. The decision to disqualify Smartmatic serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and the need to maintain the public’s confidence in the electoral process.
Source: The Manila Times
