The Commission on Election (Comelec) has disqualified multinational company Smartmatic Philippines Inc. from participating in all of its procurement processes.
In an official X (formerly Twitter) post on Wednesday, Nov. 29, Comelec chairman George Garcia announced that the poll body disqualified and disallowed Smartmatic from participating in any public bidding process for election.
"We disqualified Smartmatic to participate in all COMELEC procurement," he said.
The decision, according to the Comelec Chief, aims to maintain the integrity of electoral processes.
"We have to maintain the integrity of our electoral process. Para sa Bayan," Garcia said.
We disqualified smartmatic to participate in all COMELEC procurement.
— Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia (@ChairGEGarcia) November 29, 2023
As of this posting, the Comelec has yet to issue a full statement regarding its decision.
Meanwhile, Smartmatic expressed "profound disappointment" in Comelec for removing them from the bidding on the 2025 contract for election technology — a decision that they are unaware of.
"In its 23-year history, no Smartmatic company has ever been indicted in the United States or any other country in connection with any election or election-related contract. This information is easily verifiable on the US Department of Justice website by searching 'Smartmatic'," the multinational company said in a statement released.
Smartmatic likewise asserted that they "have consistently adhered to all their procurement processes during biddings and contract execution. Our significant role has played a key part in establishing the Philippines as a global model for election integrity."
"We urge Comelec officials to conduct this search independently and to show to the public any indictment against Smartmatic. We are confident there is no such indictment in the United States," they said.
Photo courtesy: Smartmatic
Since 2010, Smartmatic served as the poll technology provider in the Philippines. It was the electric provider during the 2022 National and Local Elections.
