By Gabriel Kim Leal
(July 15, 2024) – A former lawmaker on Monday went to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to deliver documents, allegedly linking an official of the poll body to financial irregularities involving a South Korean firm chosen to be the service provider for the 2025 midterm elections.
Edgar Erice, a former representative of Caloocan, claimed that he received documents from an anonymous sender, revealing $15 million were deposited to 14 bank accounts in the Bahamas belonging to a Comelec official. He said the money originated from Miru Systems.
“Nandoon din sa documents ‘yung apat na properties na ‘di umano pag-aari nung Comelec official na ‘yon. Isa sa Singapore, isa sa Hong Kong, isa sa United States, at isa dito sa Makati,” said Erice, adding that the wife of the Comelec official was a co-depositor.
He refused to name the Comelec official, but Comelec chairperson George Garcia acknowledged that he was the one being alluded to. He, however, dismissed the documents as “dubious.”
“Pare-parehas ‘yung font. Para bang iisang tao lang ‘yung gumawa ng lahat, binagu-bago lang ‘yung account number. Ni wala ngang logo ng bangko, ni wala ngang pirma ng kung sino mang nag-issue,” said Garcia.
Last April, Erice filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking a temporary restraining order to stop the Comelec from awarding the election service provider contract to Miru Systems.
Last week, SAGIP Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta questioned the Comelec’s P18 billion deal, alleging that 49 offshore accounts linked to a Comelec official received funds from South Korean banks during the bidding process.
Garcia has stressed the credibility of Miru Systems, touting its readiness for next year’s midterm elections.
Erice added that he plans to file graft charges against Comelec officials before the Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday.
He also intends to cite Garcia for contempt before the Supreme Court due to earlier remarks on the issue. He also challenged Garcia to disprove the allegations.
“May pronouncement siya na pag dinisqualify o ni-nuliify ‘yung kontrata ng Miru at Comelec, sinasabi niya na magre-revert tayo sa manual election. He’s threatening the Supreme Court,” added Erice. “Hindi puwedeng mag-revert sa manual election kasi that will be against the law.”
(With reports from Mon Gualvez, News5)
(PM)
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