Comelec headquarters in Intramuros, Manila. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections (Comelec) head George Erwin Garcia said the poll body would support the call for an inquiry into its P17.99-billion deal with Miru Systems Co. Ltd. (Miru Systems) following doubts about its past.
The South Korean firm was awarded the contract to provide the automated system for the Philippines’ 2025 general election. ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro asked the House of Representatives to scrutinize the agreement.
“Welcome po kami sa anumang pagdinig upang maliwanagan ang mga katanungan at issues. Susuportahan po namin ang ganitong inisyatibo,” Garcia told INQUIRER.net when asked for the poll body’s stance on the proposed probe sought by Castro.
(We welcome any hearing to clarify the questions and issues. We will support such initiatives.)
The Comelec chair said such a congressional investigation would not affect the poll body’s timeline for the 2025 elections.
“In our opinion, there doesn’t seem to be any,” he replied when asked about the proposed House probe’s impact on their preparation for next year’s vote.
Miru Systems has remained the lone bidder for the lease of an automated election system for some time before being awarded the contract on February 22. Comelec and Miru Systems signed the deal on Monday, March 11.
Castro, however, cited the South Korean company’s allegedly spotty track record.
She pointed out Miru Systems’ allegedly inaccurate count of votes cast during elections handled in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Iraq.
In a separate message, however, Garcia said Comelec’s Special Bids and Awards Committee was aware of the allegations against Miru Systems but still recommended it for the contract based on certifications from the electoral commission of Congo and the United Nations for the elections in Iraq, confirming its good performance and transparency during the elections in the two states.
Miru Systems president Chung Jin Bok said accusations against the company are simply rumors orchestrated by losing candidates.