Comelec says construction firm withdrew from joint venture led by Miru | ABS-CBN
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Comelec says construction firm withdrew from joint venture led by Miru
(UPDATED) Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia said St. Timothy Construction Corporation has withdrawn from the joint venture led by Miru that will provide the technology for the 2025 elections.
(UPDATED) Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia said St. Timothy Construction Corporation has withdrawn from the joint venture led by Miru that will provide the technology for the 2025 elections.
This developed amid reports that officials of St. Timothy are running in the elections.
This developed amid reports that officials of St. Timothy are running in the elections.
Garcia said the public has nothing to worry about as the poll body continues the preparations for the polls.
Garcia said the public has nothing to worry about as the poll body continues the preparations for the polls.
He added Miru has conveyed to the poll body that it commits to still comply with the obligation as contained in the contract to supply technology for the polls.
He added Miru has conveyed to the poll body that it commits to still comply with the obligation as contained in the contract to supply technology for the polls.
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He said as of Thursday, the joint venture has now delivered at least 50 percent of the machines and 100 percent of the peripherals.
He said as of Thursday, the joint venture has now delivered at least 50 percent of the machines and 100 percent of the peripherals.
The joint venture has two remaining partners.
The joint venture has two remaining partners.
“To a certain extent nabunutan pa nga kami ng tinik kasi yun nga ang isa sa mga issues e. Hindi naman natin sinasabi na ayaw natin sa kanila… so ngayong wala na sila to a certain extend mas madali namin maipapaliwanag at maidedepensa sapagkat itong dalawa na lang ang natitira, kailangan obligahin natin, pwersahin natin para icomply ang lahat ng commitment nila sa ating kontrata. So huwag po kayo mag alala. Ang importante naman po, tuloy tuloy ang ginagawa nating paghahanda, kasama itong filing ng certificate of candidacy,” Garcia said.
“To a certain extent nabunutan pa nga kami ng tinik kasi yun nga ang isa sa mga issues e. Hindi naman natin sinasabi na ayaw natin sa kanila… so ngayong wala na sila to a certain extend mas madali namin maipapaliwanag at maidedepensa sapagkat itong dalawa na lang ang natitira, kailangan obligahin natin, pwersahin natin para icomply ang lahat ng commitment nila sa ating kontrata. So huwag po kayo mag alala. Ang importante naman po, tuloy tuloy ang ginagawa nating paghahanda, kasama itong filing ng certificate of candidacy,” Garcia said.
In a statement, Miru confirmed the withdrawal of St. Timothy Construction Corporation (STCC) as one of the members of our local joint venture partner “due to a possible conflict of interest.”
In a statement, Miru confirmed the withdrawal of St. Timothy Construction Corporation (STCC) as one of the members of our local joint venture partner “due to a possible conflict of interest.”
Miru added: “We will move forward with our two (2) local joint venture partners, Integrated Computer Systems (ICS) and Centerpoint Solutions.
Miru added: “We will move forward with our two (2) local joint venture partners, Integrated Computer Systems (ICS) and Centerpoint Solutions.
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“We have submitted the official withdrawal letter of STCC to COMELEC and they have already accepted. We thank the COMELEC for graciously accepting the change in the composition of our local JV partner."
“We have submitted the official withdrawal letter of STCC to COMELEC and they have already accepted. We thank the COMELEC for graciously accepting the change in the composition of our local JV partner."
“While STCC played a role in meeting regulatory compliance requirements, they did not contribute to the development of our voting machines or services to be used in the 2025 National and Local Elections."
“While STCC played a role in meeting regulatory compliance requirements, they did not contribute to the development of our voting machines or services to be used in the 2025 National and Local Elections."
“We remain steadfast in our preparations and have already delivered substantial milestones within the contract. In fact, our JV has been able to deliver ahead of schedule, with 50,000 Automated Counting Machines already received in the country and undergoing thorough acceptance tests, along with 100% of all other election peripherals and brand new state-of-the-art printing machines. We are also moving forward with the training of technicians and setting up 110 repair hubs nationwide, as well as servers for all data centers."
“We remain steadfast in our preparations and have already delivered substantial milestones within the contract. In fact, our JV has been able to deliver ahead of schedule, with 50,000 Automated Counting Machines already received in the country and undergoing thorough acceptance tests, along with 100% of all other election peripherals and brand new state-of-the-art printing machines. We are also moving forward with the training of technicians and setting up 110 repair hubs nationwide, as well as servers for all data centers."
“We thank STCC for their transparency and proactivity in withdrawing from this partnership. We reiterate that this will not affect our commitment to delivering a better automated system in the service of Filipinos,” it said.
“We thank STCC for their transparency and proactivity in withdrawing from this partnership. We reiterate that this will not affect our commitment to delivering a better automated system in the service of Filipinos,” it said.
MAYOR VICO EXPRESSES CONCERN
Meanwhile, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto urged Comelec to be vigilant regarding the candidacy of people behind the construction firm.
Meanwhile, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto urged Comelec to be vigilant regarding the candidacy of people behind the construction firm.
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Sotto said the individuals are expected to run in Pasig City.
Sotto said the individuals are expected to run in Pasig City.
"Imagine being a financier/contracting party for Comelec's automated election machines, and running in the same elections?? Hindi ko maunawaan kung paano nila naiisip na OK lang 'yon," Sotto said in a statement.
"Imagine being a financier/contracting party for Comelec's automated election machines, and running in the same elections?? Hindi ko maunawaan kung paano nila naiisip na OK lang 'yon," Sotto said in a statement.
The Pasig mayor questioned the people behind St. Timothy Construction Corporation.
The Pasig mayor questioned the people behind St. Timothy Construction Corporation.
"The same people are behind ST GERRARD CONSTRUCTION and ST TIMOTHY CONSTRUCTION. They go around using ST.GERRARD as if it's a political party," he claimed.
"The same people are behind ST GERRARD CONSTRUCTION and ST TIMOTHY CONSTRUCTION. They go around using ST.GERRARD as if it's a political party," he claimed.
"This is well known in many circles. The evidence is also overwhelming-- the 2 construction companies have common incorporators, use the same business address.. the Presidents of both companies even declare the same RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS."
"This is well known in many circles. The evidence is also overwhelming-- the 2 construction companies have common incorporators, use the same business address.. the Presidents of both companies even declare the same RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS."
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He also claimed St. Timothy has a bad record as contractors.
He also claimed St. Timothy has a bad record as contractors.
"Example, they were once suspended by the DPWH for submitting a fake BIR tax clearance," said Sotto.
"Example, they were once suspended by the DPWH for submitting a fake BIR tax clearance," said Sotto.
"Dapat malaman ng tao ang mga bagay na ito. Wala yatang ibang magsasabi kaya ako na lang."
"Dapat malaman ng tao ang mga bagay na ito. Wala yatang ibang magsasabi kaya ako na lang."
ST. GERRARD DENIES INVOLVEMENT
The St. Gerrard General Contractor and Development Corporation, on the other hand, said it is not linked with St. Timothy Construction.
The St. Gerrard General Contractor and Development Corporation, on the other hand, said it is not linked with St. Timothy Construction.
In a statement, St. Gerrard said is different from St. Timothy, adding that there is no existing collaboration between the two firms.
In a statement, St. Gerrard said is different from St. Timothy, adding that there is no existing collaboration between the two firms.
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"We received several information that our company is being linked to a corporation which was reported to have withdrawn from their JV partnership with Miru Systems and which JV was awarded by the Comelec with a contract to conduct automated polls in 2025," the statement read.
"We received several information that our company is being linked to a corporation which was reported to have withdrawn from their JV partnership with Miru Systems and which JV was awarded by the Comelec with a contract to conduct automated polls in 2025," the statement read.
"We would like to categorically state that our company has not engaged in any form of collaboration, partnership, or any kind of participation in the company of St. Timothy. Any and all claims or insinuations to the contrary are entirely false and unfounded."
"We would like to categorically state that our company has not engaged in any form of collaboration, partnership, or any kind of participation in the company of St. Timothy. Any and all claims or insinuations to the contrary are entirely false and unfounded."
"We call on the general public to refer to official channels for accurate information to avoid speculation or misinformation, especially those coming from politicians who are piggybacking on contrived issues to tarnish and damage our reputation."
"We call on the general public to refer to official channels for accurate information to avoid speculation or misinformation, especially those coming from politicians who are piggybacking on contrived issues to tarnish and damage our reputation."
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