Comelec officials sued for graft at Ombudsman over Miru deal

A FORMER lawmaker yesterday filed a criminal complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman against top officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) alleging irregularities in the award of the P17.99 billion poll automation project to a joint venture led by South Korean proponent Miru Systems Co. Ltd.

Complainant former Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice named Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia as respondent, together with members of the Commission’s Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC).

The SBAC-Automated Election Systems officers are Allen Francis Abaya, chairperson; John Rex Laudiangco, vice chairperson; and members Divina Blas-Perez, Jovencio Balanquit, and Abigail Claire Llacuna. Also named co-respondents were alternate SBAC-AEC members Celia Romero and Efraim Bag-id.

Specifically, they were accused of violating Section 3 (e) and (g) of RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The first concerns undue injury caused against any party including the government or giving any private party unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference.

On the other hand, the second allegation involved entering, on behalf of the government, into any contract or transaction that is deemed manifestly or grossly disadvantageous.

Garcia welcomed the filing of criminal charges against him and other officials of the poll body and guaranteed his readiness to respond to the allegations of Erice.

In an online interview with media men, Garcia said the filing of charges by Erice is actually a welcome relief as it is different from the previous instances, when the former lawmaker engaged in mere public statements.

“We have been expecting this since he has long declared such plans to file a case before the Office of the Ombudsman. And we are now prepared to answer all his allegations,” said Garcia.

“At least we have this case now with the Ombudsman instead of us subjected to ‘marites’ (rumors) and having to deal with misinformation and disinformation,” he added.

Erice’s complaint was anchored on the argument that the Comelec’s contract with SMMT-TIM 2016, Inc. (Smartmatic) was still in effect when the Comelec approved the March 27, 2023 proposal from Commissioner Rey