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Garcia case vs Smartmatic, in US
By J.Lo
“I have coordinated with US DOJ, Department of Justice just last night because I believe that this is bank fraud, identity theft and money laundering in their definition,” Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia is considering filing criminal complaints in US against Smartmatic and persons behind what he describes as smear campaign against him.
He was referring to accusations that he received bribes to award poll automation contract for 2025 elections to South Korea’s Miru Systems, and that he keeps dirty money in offshore bank accounts.
“America can come in, this should be connected in their first investigation,” he said, noting that US can take jurisdiction over the matter.
He also said Comelec would use indictment in US of three Smartmatic executives and former poll chairman Andres Bautista for bribery and money laundering to convince Supreme Court to uphold disqualification of vote counting machine provider from future elections contracts.
“We will surely manifest this and point out that we did not commit abuse of discretion because we have this basis to disqualify Smartmatic, these developments will surely be manifested by Comelec before Supreme Court in relation to cases pending there,” Garcia said referring to motion for reconsideration filed by Comelec with tSC, granted petition for certiorari filed by Smartmatic accusing poll body of grave abuse of discretion in disqualifying the company.
It was in November 2023 when Comelec disqualified Smartmatic from participating in any public bidding for elections, citing ongoing criminal investigation on Bautista and the company.
In April 2024, SC granted Smartmatic’s petition for certiorari, Comelec responded by filing motion for reconsideration.
According to Garcia, indictment will also help them in their ongoing investigation on alleged rigging of bidding for 2016 elections. He created panel to undertake tinvestigation.
“We are trying to determine how and who were involved in alleged rigging of bidding…officials involved, if any, and whether allegations are really true,” he added.
Garcia earlier accused foreign company of being involved in bribery allegations, he has vehemently denied.
US Department of Justice reported Bautista and three Smartmatic employees were indicted for their roles in alleged bribery and money laundering scheme to retain and secure business related to 2016 polls.
Personnel of Smartmatic supposedly caused at least $1 million in bribes to be paid to Bautista sometime between 2015 and 2018.
ISKUP! 