SC seeks comment on P17.9-B Comelec-Miru Systems deal
THE PHILIPPINE Supreme Court (SC) on Monday sought the comments of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and other respondents in a petition to annul the P17.9-billion contract with its automated election systems provider for 2025.
The High Court ordered the Comelec and the joint venture (JV) of Miru Systems Co., Ltd., Integrated Computer Systems, St. Timothy Construction Corporation, and Centerpoint Solutions Technologies, Inc. to comment on the petition for a temporary restraining order (TRO) filed by former congressman Edgar R. Erice.
The SC gave the Comelec 10 days from its receipt of the order to comment.
Mr. Erice on April 18 claimed the contract between Comelec and the other respondents violated the Election Automation Law of 2007 (Republic Act 9363), as the voting machine from Miru is allegedly only a “prototype.”
R.A. 9363 requires the system procured to have demonstrated capability and successful use in a prior electoral exercise.
The business entities in the JV secured the 2025 elections contract worth almost P18 billion last Feb. 21, following a unanimous vote by the Comelec en banc, which led to the issuing of the En Banc Minute Resolution No. 24-0114.
Mr. Erice’s petition seeks to bar the Comelec from awarding the contract to the bidder.
In a message sent to a group chat with reporters, Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said the poll body would comply with the SC’s order for a comment.
“We are so elated that the High Court did not issue any injunctive writ,” said Mr. Garcia. “Thus, our preparations for the automated 2025 NLE will proceed as scheduled in view of a very tight timeline that we have.” — Chloe Mari A. Hufana
