Group questions Miru contract with Comelec

MANILA, Philippines — Following the withdrawal of one of its local partners, technology provider Miru System is being asked by a group advocating transparency and accountability to publicly come out and disclose all important information concerning its multibillion-peso contract with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

At a press conference yesterday, Right to Know, Right Now Coalition (R2KRN) co-convenor Malou Mangahas said they had sent a letter to Miru System demanding that it disclose relevant information by the end of October.

Mangahas said they want Miru to disclose the specific role and responsibilities of each remaining partner, as well as present updated documentation showing their financial capacity, a detailed breakdown of the ownership structure and evidence that the partnership still complies with the 60 percent Filipino ownership requirement.

The R2KRN also demanded a clear statement on how the liabilities of the St. Timothy Construction Corp. (STCC) would be distributed.

It is also demanding data on revised timelines and milestones, provisions for dispute resolution and detailed provisions demonstrating full compliance with the governing Procurement Reform Act.

She said Miru and its partners should also release proof of performance guarantees or committed line of credit as well as contingency plans in case the remaining partners fail to fulfill their obligations.

“We can see that the integrity of the 2025 elections is in danger,” another co-convenor, Nepomuceno Malaluan warned, citing the sensitivity of the project awarded to the Miru joint venture.

The coalition noted that STCC should not be absolved and should remain legally responsible for its commitments to the project, which amounts to P17.9 billion.

“It cannot simply walk away from its financial and operational obligations without answering for the potential disruption that its withdrawal has caused,” it said.

Malaluan noted that STCC represented the corporate entity that guaranteed the financial capacity of the joint venture to finance the contract

Comelec Chairman George Garcia agreed that  Miru System should fully disclose information and data demanded by the multi-sectoral coalition.