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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcoleta floats possible grounds for impeachment vs Comelec execs over Miru deal

Marcoleta floats possible grounds for impeachment vs Comelec execs over Miru deal

Published Jul 9, 2024 07:57 am

At A Glance

  • SAGIP Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta  said there are viable grounds to impeach top officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) based on its award contract to South Korean firm Miru Systems for the 2025 mid-term elections.

Comelec.jpgThe Palacio del Gobernador, which houses the Commission on Elections (Comelec) (MANILA BULLETIN)

There are viable grounds to impeach top officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) based on its award contract to South Korean firm Miru Systems for the 2025 mid-term elections.

Thus, said SAGIP Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta in a press conference Tuesday, July 9.

Marcoleta claimed that Comelec violated Republic Act (RA) No. 9389, or the Election Automation Law, when it entered into an agreement with Miru.

He specifically cited the provision on
Procurement of Equipment and Materials, which provides that “The system procured must have demonstrated capability and been successfully used in a prior electoral exercise here or board”.

“It’s incumbent upon them to produce precedence, actual experience that these machines are based on the categorical mandate of the law,” said Marcoleta.

Last March, Comelec and Miru signed a contract for the lease of the Full Automation System with Transparency Audit/Count (Fastrac) to be used in the 2025 polls worth P17.89 billion.

The terms of reference (TOR) of this agreement was questioned by critics as the country’s poll body was alleged to have “tailor-fitted” the TOR to fit the capabilities of Miru.

Marcoleta pointed out that under this TOR, Miru would produce “hybrid” voting machines utilizing both the direct recording electronic (DRE) and optical mark recognition (OMR) systems.

“Yun nga lang (The) DRE and OMR, separately used in other countries, sumablay na eh (failed). Ito pa kayang ‘pag ime-merge mo yung dalawa (How much more if you merge the two), you will use a combination of two applications in one machine but without producing an evidence that they can work in our jurisdiction, problematic na po yun. Kinakabahan naman ako don (that is problematic. I’m nervous about it),” he explained.

According to the veteran lawmaker, Miru’s utilization of DRE and OMR systems in Congo and Iraq, respectively, encountered various technical difficulties.

He argued that if a two-in-one voting machine will be utilized in next year’s polls, it may threaten “the integrity, credibility, and the sanctity of our national elections”.

When asked if he is planning to pursue an impeachment complaint against Comelec officials, Marcoleta said he is planning to conduct an inquiry into this matter to shed light on all pressing concerns.

“Let’s cross the bridge when we get there. Siguro ang iniisip ko ngayon (Maybe what I'm thinking now) is to file an appropriate resolution,” the congressman noted.

Related Tags

2025 elections Rodante Marcoleta Comelec impeachment complaint miru
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