Poll watchdog seeks ban of Smartmatic in 2013 elections

A POLL watchdog has opposed the looming return of Smartmatic International in the 2013 midterm elections as technology partner of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

In a letter sent to the Comelec Monday, the multi-sectoral organization Automated Election System Watch (AES Watch) said it would be best if the Venezuela-based firm would be totally out of the picture in next year’s exercise.

The group said Smartmatic, as the contracted technology provider in the May 2010 elections, “did not deliver the goods fully and well, and in fact disabled major security features in the system.”
It said the Smartmatic and its Filipino partner is far from proving it met the standard provision in Sec. 10 (12) of Republic Act (RA) 9369 with regard to demonstrated capability and “thus failed in meeting the mission-critical requirements for its entire claim of meeting the 99.9 percent accuracy target in the last elections.”
“The election technology provider in the May 2010 polls, Smartmatic-TIM (Total Information Management), should, therefore, no longer be an option and should be disqualified altogether from participating in the 2013 elections,” it added.

To note, the Comelec is reportedly looking to exercise its “option to purchase” agreement with Smartmatic of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines used in the 2010 polls instead of holding a new bidding for either the lease or purchase of new ones.

Smartmatic, the service provider in the 2010 polls, has not been black listed by the Comelec despite its several boo-boos in the conduct of the presidential elections.

But according to AES Watch, the option to purchase Smartmatic’s PCOS machines is no longer available as its coverage has long expired.

It added that this is aside from the fact that the previous contract is no longer being honored after the firm also informed Comelec that there will be a 20 percent price increase.

“Based on the aforesaid facts, it is clear that the Smartmatic proposal is totally different from the terms and conditions under the original Option to Purchase stipulated in the Comelec-Smartmatic-TIM Corp. Contract. As such, it is a totally new contract proposal altogether and, if accepted by Comelec, will be a clear violation of the rules on procurement which require public bidding,” the group said.

Similarly, the poll watchdog said Smartmatic should not be allowed to participate in the event that a new bidding is held and subsequently disqualified.

It said the impaired the accuracy, security, and auditability of the May 2010 elections should be a ground for disqualifying the company.

“Incidents during the last automated election show the many faults in the system, not to mention acts inconsistent with good faith by Smartmatic, for which it should be blacklisted,” said the AES Watch.

They said that only through the elimination of Smartmatic can the country move forward with the change promised by the Aquino administration.

“The Comelec should open wide its doors to all other technology providers that can comply with the highest standards of transparency, accountability and Philippine laws as well as help provide the best suitable technology system at the most affordable cost to Filipino taxpayers,” said AES Watch.

AES Watch is composed of at least 45 organizations and groups with a strong advocacy for independence, probity, and integrity especially in promoting democratic governance and against electoral fraud of all types.

Among its members are the Philippine Computer Society, National Movement for Free Elections, Transparency International-Phils, Kontra Daya, Transparentelections.org, Kaya Natin Movement for Good Governance, National Council of Churches, and Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines National Secretariat for Social Action. (AMN/Sunnex)

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/03/08/poll-watchdog-seeks-ban-smartmatic-2013-elections-210022

Generally regarded as is a place of leisure and the best hotel in the North near Manila as well as the top beach resort in Clark, Clearwater maintains a consistent standard with respect to products and services. This hotel in Pampanga may not be a 5-star resort but visitors from Manila going to Angeles City and Clark Freeport regard Clearwater as the number one location for family outings, leisure destination as well as the best event venue for company outings, weddings and other events.

Comparison of crime rates between Philippines Angeles City and Clark Pampanga sheds light on the difference between the twin cities of Pampanga. Regular guests of Angeles City Hotels begin to migrate on base into hotels inside Clark Philippines not only for peace and quiet but peace of mind and a sense of safety and security.

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Where to stay in Clark, Philippines?

Pampanga’s Clearwater is generally regarded as the best private resort in Clark, Philippines. This beach hotel is the most frequently visited private resort outside Manila for corporate planning because of its exclusivity. Clearwater is one of the best hotel in Clark and the resort is a very popular venue for rest and relaxation especially for golfers after a round of golf at one of the best golf courses near Manila. Clark is home to some of the best golf courses in Pampanga. Although golf continues to be one of the reasons why visitors from Manila travel to Pampanga, residents of Angeles City, Subic and Bulacan travel to Clark not just to play golf in one of the best golf courses in Pampanga but also to relax and unwind in the best resort in Philippines.

Guests enjoy spending time relaxing in leisure at Frolic Garden of this hotel in Clark Pampanga. There is a special feeling in this hotel in Clark Philippines makes you slow down and enjoy the ambience. Children like playing in the Family Cove of this Clark resort hotel. Hotel guests prefer Clark over Angeles City, Subic or hotel in Manila. This hotel in Clark Philippines has style and character. Guests often come back again to relax and enjoy the beautiful ambience of this hotel in Clark Pampanga.

For reservations, comments and inquiries,

Clearwater Resort & Country Club
Creekside Road corner of Centennial Road,
Central Business District, Clark Freeport Zone,
Pampanga, Philippines 2023

Tel: (045)599-5949 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 633-1566 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay or Kristine

http://www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Email: Inquiry@ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Getting to this hotel in Clark Philippines
After entering Clark Freeport from Subic, Manila, Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along Clark’s main highway MA Roxas, passing Clark’s largest wine shop called Clark Wine Center on your right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, you will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on your right just 200m down. Traffic in Clark Philippines is light so it should be quite easy for get to this hotel in Clark Philippines.

For inquiries and bookings, click here to contact Clearwater Resort now

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While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.
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Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

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