Comelec to critics: Respect sub judice rule in Miru case

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is calling on critics of its poll automation deal with the joint venture led by South Korean firm Miru Systems to respect the sub judice rule of the Supreme Court (SC) and avoid public discussions of the case.

In an interview, Elections chairman George Garcia: “To the parties involved, especially with the case filed at the Supreme Court, let us not discuss publicly the merits of the case.”

“Let us respect the sub judice principle. The SC already required the Comments so it is just right to not discuss the case publicly so as not to influence the decision of the SC,” he also said.

The poll chief said the Comelec will not discuss the case’s merits publicly as long as the case is pending.

“We will always protect the integrity of the judicial process, of the Supreme Court. Any doubts on the processes of the SC, our judicial system will suffer,” said Garcia.

He, however, admitted that they cannot prevent the other parties from discussing the matter in public.

“We are not onion-skinned on the matter. We really cannot prevent them. But there will always be consequences when one discusses matters that shouldn’t be discussed publicly,” said Garcia.

Last April, former Rep. Edgar Erice filed a petition against the P17.9 billion Comelec – Miru contract on the 2025 poll automation project before the High Tribunal.

In late May, the SC required Comelec and Miru to submit their comments to Erice’s petition.