Unraveling the Mystery The Future of Miru Election Contract Questioned before SC This title effectively captures the main topic of the post, which is the controversy surrounding the contract between Miru Systems Joint Venture and Comelec for the automation of elections in the Philippines. The use of the word mystery suggests that there are questions and concerns about the transparency and accountability of the contract, which is a central theme of the blog post.

Unraveling the Mystery The Future of Miru Election Contract Questioned before SC

As the May 12 elections draw near, concerns about the automation contract for the Philippine polls have reached a boiling point. A coalition of over two dozen civil society organizations has petitioned the Supreme Court (SC) to compel the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Miru Systems Joint Venture to fully disclose key documents related to the contract.

The Right to Transparency

The Right to Know, Right Now Coalition (R2KRN), along with its co-petitioners, including public servants, migrant workers, environmental advocates, labor unions, human rights defenders, and independent media organizations, has raised concerns about transparency in the electoral process. They believe that full disclosure of key documents is essential to maintaining public confidence in the system.

A Legal Landmark

This petition marks a significant legal milestone as it seeks to establish that the constitutional right to information is enforceable not only against government agencies but also against private entities when they perform essential public functions, such as managing the country's automated polls.

Financial Viability Concerns

The withdrawal of St. Timothy Construction Corporation, a key Filipino partner of Miru, has raised concerns about the financial viability of the remaining partners and their ability to fully meet their contractual obligations with Comelec. The R2KRN fears that the joint venture may now lack the necessary financial backing, jeopardizing the success of the May 12 polls.

Demanding Accountability

The coalition demands access to financial records, ownership agreements, and contract details to ensure compliance with Philippine laws, particularly the 60-40 foreign ownership rule governing public infrastructure projects. They want to know if Miru Systems and its remaining Filipino partners have the necessary resources to fulfill their contractual obligations.

Miru's Response

Miru Systems has assured Comelec that they can fulfill the contract by submitting updated financial records and stating that they have already delivered 78,000 of the required 110,000 automated counting machines for the elections. The company also insists that despite St. Timothy's withdrawal, the joint venture remains 60 percent Filipino-owned.

The Consequences

This case affects not just the rights of taxpayers, voters, and advocates of transparency but also the integrity of the electoral process itself. The petitioners believe that this decision will set a precedent for future cases, cementing the right of every Filipino to demand transparency from private companies that enter into government contracts involving public interest.

What's Next?

Under the Freedom of Information Act, R2KRN has given Miru 15 working days to provide the requested documents. If Miru fails to comply, the coalition vows to pursue further legal action, including judicial remedies, to hold Comelec and Miru accountable.

As we wait for the Supreme Court's decision, one thing is clear transparency is key to maintaining public confidence in the electoral process. Will Miru Systems fully disclose its documents, or will the SC need to intervene? Only time will tell.

Keywords Miru Systems Joint Venture, Comelec, election automation, transparency, Supreme Court, petition, Freedom of Information Act

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.