The Supreme Court has required the Commission on Elections to comment on a petition seeking to annul the P17.9 billion contract awarded to the South Korea-based election service provider Miru Systems for the 2025 elections. Among the respondents asked to respond to the petition is the joint venture of Miru Systems Co. Ltd., Integrated Computer Systems, St. Timothy Construction Corporation, and Centerpoint Solutions Technologies, Inc. The SC has given the respondents ten days to comment as part of its procedures in handling cases or petitions.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia expressed his elation that the SC did not issue any injunctive writ in a message to the press, stating that preparations for the automated 2024 National and Local Elections will proceed as scheduled.
The petition was filed by former lawmaker Egay Erice, asking the SC to review the awarding of the contract and requesting a temporary restraining order against Comelec and the joint venture. The SC previously stated that Comelec committed a grave abuse of discretion by disqualifying election service provider Smartmatic for the 2025 automated election system bid.
Despite this ruling, the SC stated that the contract between Comelec and Miru Systems will not be nullified, citing considerations of equity, justice, practicality, and the doctrine of operative fact.
