The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) defended the decision to award the contract for the 2025 midterm elections automation system to the South Korean firm Miru Systems Co. Ltd.
COMELEC Chairperson George Garcia said on Friday, February 23, that the South Korean firm can produce machines that meet the 'wishlist' of the poll body.
"Yung mga feature na gusto natin makita, na dapat nandiyan ay na-customize nila exactly to the last detail kung ano yung gusto natin nandoon sa mismong makina," Garcia said during DZRH's Dos Por Dos.
"Hindi tayo yung tumugma sa kung anong makina ang meron sila. Kung ano yung kagustuhan natin, kanilang ginawa, kinustomize specifically para sa Pilipinas," he added.
Aside from the 110,000 automated counting machines, Garcia said that Miru will also provide the laptops that the Philippines will use for the elections, and establish repair hubs in all provincial offices of COMELEC.
Garcia also assured that the COMELEC En Banc and the technical working group conducted an investigation on allegations that Miru Systems caused failure of elections in other countries, including Iraq and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The COMELEC chief said that the probe debunked the accusations against the South Korean firm.
"May certification mismo yung election body na nagsasabing maayos naman yung naging halalan nila kaya ma-verify ngayon na walang naging issue doon sa halalan nila," Garcia guaranteed.
Garcia added that COMELEC saved around Php 800 million since Miru submitted a total bid worth Php 17.98 billion, lower than the total approved budget of Php 18.82 billion.
Prior to awarding the contract, Miru, the lone bidder, demonstrated its automated counting machines and consolidation and canvassing system to members of COMELEC and other stakeholders.
