Miru Systems condemns bribery allegations vs Comelec

South Korean firm Miru Systems on Wednesday condemned the bribery accusations against the Commission on Elections (Comelec). 

“This is a serious allegation that should not have been made public without any evidence,” the company said in a press statement. 

“This baseless and careless accusation not only maligns our reputation, it also detracts us from all the work that needs to be done with the Comelec for the 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE),” it added. 

Miru Systems said it will cooperate with government agencies that would investigathe the issue and may consider pursuing legal action, if necessary. 

“We have had nothing but a professional relationship with everyone in the Comelec, including the highly respectable Chairman George Garcia. Over the past year, we have worked to dutifully meet all requirements of the Terms of Reference, which have been crafted specifically for the needs of the Filipino people,” the firm said. 

“We are steadfast in our commitment to the manufacturing of the new automated counting machines and the various election peripherals in order to ensure a smooth and timely 2025 midterm elections for the Philippines,” it added. 

In March, Comelec and Miru signed the P17.99-billion contract for the procurement of a new automated election system for the 2025 elections. The contract covered around 110,000 machines and peripherals including ballot boxes, laptops, and other printing requirements for the polls.

Last week, SAGIP party-list Representative Rodante Marcoleta last week  questioned the contract awarding amid the alleged existence of 49 offshore bank accounts which received money from South Korean banks

Garcia said he was the poll body official being alluded to but denied owning any foreign bank accounts or properties abroad.  He has also since requested the NBI and AMLC to formally investigate the accusations and issued secrecy waivers against the involved bank accounts.—AOL, GMA Integrated News