Press Release
June 26, 2009

CHIZ: IT'S COMELEC'S CALL, BUT WILL KEEP WATCH UNTIL E-DAY

Opposition Sen. Chiz Escudero yesterday said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will be held accountable by the people for its decision to go ahead despite questions about its capability to implement automated elections nationwide in 2010.

"It's their call, not mine. Let it not be said that I kept silent during my watch, that I failed to act responsibly in monitoring the bidding of the largest, single contract to be awarded by this administration," said the 39-year old senator, who co-chairs the congressional oversight committee on poll automation.

"I am not against automation, nor am I a techno-phobe. But that is now the perception being projected by those who have a lot to gain from this contract and a possible failure of elections," Escudero said.

Despite its earlier announcement that it would sign the contract today with the winning bidder, the Barbados-registered Smartmatic-TIM, the Commission on Elections has moved it instead to July 1, according to Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento.

Escudero said that once the Comelec signs the contract with Smartmatic-TIM, all the committee can do is to work with the poll body in ensuring that there will be no hitches in carrying out the unprecedented machine count of the nationwide vote in May next year.

"But this does not mean that the Comelec should discard its PLAN B just in case something goes wrong. The Comelec should learn from the costly lesson that was Mega-Pacific. That cost us P1.3 billion pesos excluding the P30-million a year in storage fees that we continue to pay for," he said. "I would rather be accused of grandstanding than be blamed for not doing anything to stop what could be an onerous, illegal and unconstitutional contract," Escudero said.

The senator also reminded the Comelec that automation will not deter those who are out to cheat their way to victory in the coming elections so it should make sure that the safeguards against cyber-manipulators will work.

"I was spokesman of a candidate who was cheated of victory in the 2004 elections. I will make sure, in my own way, that the results of the elections in 2010 will reflect the people's choice," Escudero said.

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