PGMA hails Smartmatic, TIM in settling rift
July 3, 2009 9:08 am
By Joel C. Atencio
MANILA, July 3 – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo this afternoon hailed the Total Information Management (TIM) and Barbados-based Smartmatic, Inc. for settling their differences, the last barrier in the full automation of country's national and local elections in 2010.
The Commission on Election (Comelec) has declared the joint venture between Total Information and Barbado-based Smartmatic, as the winning bidder in the P7.2-billion poll automation project.
But while the Comelec was preparing the contract documents, TIM backed out of the partnership, citing lack of control in the financial management and technical aspect of the project, raising speculation that the poll automation project will no longer be pushed through.
Speaking on behalf of President Arroyo, Presidential Political Adviser Gabriel Claudio said: “We have a big sigh of relief and congratulate COMELEC, Smartmatic and TIM for hurdling hopefully the last major obstacle to the full automation of next year's polls.”
”We hope that they will establish an effective teamwork not only among themselves but also with election watchdog groups, media and the electorate themselves in ensuring orderly, honest and credible modernized elections,” Claudio said.
Press Secretary Cerge Romonde earlier said Malacanang would support and respect whatever the Comelec's decision in resolving the automation of the 2010 polls,”
Remonde said that President Arroyo hailed the ability of the Comelec, as an independent Constitutional body, to resolve the current issue on the poll automation.
“The Palace will continue to support and respect the actions and decisions of the Comelec. With or without full automation, the elections will push through. And no matter what form it may take, the elections must always be safeguarded by our people, as their birthright in a democracy,” Remonde said.
Remonde said that in an electoral democracy political leadership must be won in a free and open contest “and protection of the ballot is among the most sacred duties of those who govern us.”
He said this was the reason why the President had long been pushing for the automation of the 2010 elections as part of her 10-point agenda.
Remonde said that the government had been stressing there would be elections next year.
Comelec chairman Jose Melo said that local firm TIM and Smartmatic had mutually agreed to proceed with the landmark poll automation project.
TIM unilaterally backed out of the partnership allegedly for lack of control over the financial management and technical aspects of the P7.2 billion project.
Last Monday, TIM said it would not be signing the incorporation papers of the joint venture. The documents, which will be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, are required by the Comelec as proof of the venture’s legal personality.
Melo said TIM and Smartmatic are set to file their incorporation papers with the SEC on Monday.
Comelec and the incorporated Smartmatic/TIM joint venture will sign the contract for the poll automation project on Friday. (PNA)
RMA/JCA
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