Comelec disqualifies Smartmatic from all election projects

THE partnership that began in 2010 will be no more.

This as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday perpetually disqualified its poll automation partner, Smartmatic Philippines Inc., from ever participating in the bidding projects of the poll body.

In a 17-page resolution, the Comelec en banc ruled: “Wherefore, premises considered, the Commission (En Banc) hereby resolved to grant the petition. Smartmatic Philippines Inc. is disqualified and disallowed from participating in any public bidding process for elections, in the exercise of its administrative power to decide all matters affecting election and in pursuit of its constitutional mandate.”

The Commission said its decision was based on its exhaustive review of the issue that involved Smartmatic and former Elections chairman Andres Bautista.

In particular, the poll body took issue at Bautista’s alleged receipt of bribes, through a foreign shell company, in exchange for awarding the contract for election machines to Smartmatic for the 2016 polls.

“The charges against Smartmatic and former chairman Bautista are of public knowledge and tend to cause speculation and distrust in (the) integrity of the electoral process,” the Comelec said, adding the involvement of the private firm in the controversy has made it an “imminent threat to the strength and integrity of our democratic processes.”

“These allegations not only undermine and cast a shadow over the procurement protocols but also threaten to erode the public’s confidence in the electoral system,” it also said
“The Commission (En Banc), in pursuing the instant course of action, recognizes its duty to uphold the integrity of elections. It cannot overlook the serious, unresolved allegations against Smartmatic related to previous elections,” added the Comelec.

As to the possible blacklisting of the multinational firm, the poll body said only the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) may issue such a declaration.

This, it explained, is because the procurement for the 2025 automated election system (AES) project has yet to officially commence.

“No suspension and blacklisting proceedings are pending or initiated against Smartmatic in relation to the projects it