Miru document to prove its capability to handle polls

MIRU Systems has submitted to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) a crucial document attesting that it is fully qualified to handle the 2025 elections.

The joint-venture company presented its Net Financial Contracting Capacity (NFCC), a financial compliance document required in government procurement processes, serving as proof that a contractor has the financial capacity to carry out large-scale projects.

The submission of the NFCC came in the wake of the withdrawal of St. Timothy's Construction Company (STCC), one of Miru's partners in the joint-venture deal to digitalize next year's polls.

The remaining partners — Integrated Computer Systems (ICS) and Centerpoint Solutions — gave assurances they could comply with the terms of the contract.

Ken Cho, Miru Systems' vice president for overseas sales, said that while STCC had helped facilitate the submission of previous compliance documents, it did not provide direct financial backing or technical input to the electoral systems or automated counting machines (ACMs).

The joint venture remains 60 percent Filipino-owned, in compliance with local ownership laws, Cho said, adding that STCC's shares have been reallocated to the remaining partners, strengthening their role in the consortium.

ICS took the lead in submitting the replacement NFCC to Comelec, he said.

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Cho vouched that ICS is well-equipped to meet the financial and operational requirements of the election project.

Despite STCC's withdrawal, Miru Systems has made significant progress in fulfilling the obligations set out in Comelec's Terms of Reference.

Cho said more than half of the ACMs required for the 2025 elections had been delivered ahead of schedule, along with the necessary peripherals.

He said the firm has also completed training on the Digital Front End systems and has calibrated the new printers that will be used to print official election documents and ballots.

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Cho acknowledged that the withdrawal of St. Timothy's posed an initial challenge, but swift action by ICS and Centerpoint Solutions highlighted the resilience and capability of the remaining partners.

«With the timely submission of the NFCC and significant progress