Smartmatic raises Comelec’s DQ ruling before Supreme Court

Members of the Commission on Elections En Banc hold a press briefing on the disqualification of Smartmatic Philippines from participating in poll body projects bidding at the Comelec Central Office in Manila on November 30, 2023. | PHOTO: Noy Morcoso / INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Smartmatic Philippines Inc. has raised the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) ruling, disqualifying it from participation in procurement biddings, to the Supreme Court.

Smartmatic’s lawyer Atty. Christian Robert Lim told INQUIRER.net on Monday that the company has filed a petition before the high court to challenge Comelec’s decision.

“Yes we filed a petition,” Lim said.

Petition expected, says Comelec

Meanwhile, Comelec chair George Garcia told reporters that the petition filed by Smartmatic is an “expected” development.

“This is expected. The Comelec is willing and ready to defend its position,” said Garcia.

“At the end of the day, the SC has the final say on the matter,” he added.
READ: Smartmatic disqualified to preserve integrity of electoral process — Comelec

This developed after the Comelec on November 29, 2023 disqualified Smartmatic from bidding on all of its procurement processes.

READ: Comelec defends disqualification of Smartmatic

The decision stemmed from a petition seeking to disqualify Smartmatic from taking part in the bidding for the poll system to be used in the 2025 national elections filed before Comelec.

But instead of the petitioners’ allegations against the voting systems provider, Comelec cited the money-laundering and bribery charges against former poll body chief Andres Bautista as the reason for Smartmatic’s disqualification.