SMARTMATIC and the Php 11.3-B poll automation contract

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc has awarded the P11.3-billion contract for the controversy-tainted poll automation project to the consortium of Smartmatic and Total Information Management (TIM).

Smartmatic will supply the 82,500 voting machines for next year's first automated elections on a nationwide scale.

In a two-page resolution, the commission en banc under Chairman Jose Melo adopted the recommendation of the controversy tainted Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC) that was submitted last June 3, 2009.

"After due deliberation, the Commission resolved to approve the report/recommendation of the SBAC dated June 3, 2009 confirming TIM/Smartmatic as the bidder with the lowest calculated responsive bid and to award the contract for the automation of the elections on May 10, 2010 to the said joint venture," the order said.

The order also directed SBAC to issue the notice of award to TIM/Smartmatic so that it could start manufacturing the machines that would be used in the elections.

So this is it! The poll automation is on the road. I hope nothing can disrupt this progress. The Filipino people are now clamoring for change and they want progress. Indeed the poll automation for next year's Presidential and Local Elections must push through. But we must be more vigilant nowadays. for the House Resolution number 1109, has just been passed and democracy is once again on the verge of abuse and destruction.

For House Representative are eager to have a Constituent Assembly before the elections thus, sepculatin of having the same president and the same administration will serve for another 6 years. People of this country will stood up once again for this challenge. Defend the Constitution, fight for our rights.