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The Philippines’ election regulator on Wednesday banned a voting machine firm from bidding for election contracts after the company was implicated in a corruption probe launched by the US government.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it banned Smartmatic Philippines Inc., a local unit of its London-headquartered parent firm, due to the threat it posed to the “integrity” of future Philippine elections.
The ban stems from an investigation launched by the US Justice Department against former Comelec chairman Andres Bautista for alleged corruption, conspiracy, wire fraud and money laundering, according to the Comelec ruling released to reporters.
“Given the gravity of allegations related to bribery and compromised procurement processes, as independently determined by foreign bodies, the Commission recognises the imminent threat to the strength and integrity of our democratic processes,” it said.
“Smartmatic Philippines, Inc. is disqualified and disallowed from participating in any public bidding process for elections.”
Smartmatic said in a statement sent to AFP that the ruling has “unjustly besmirched” its reputation, as the company itself “has not been indicted in the United States”.
