MANILA - The Commission on Elections will proceed with the source code review of the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines by political parties and other interest groups even if software owner Dominion Voting Systems refuses to release it.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said the poll body will instead use the Smartmatic source code, which is the same source code submitted to 3rd party certifier SLI Global in the US.

SLI has withheld the release of the source code becase of the collections claims between Smartmatic and Dominion in a US court.

"Kundi bigay consent Smartmatic already committed to submit Smartmatic copy of source code, which is the same submitted to SLI. If Dominion doesn't consent, we have no choice but refer to Smartmatic source code," he said.

Brillantes said he and Comelec Commissioner Christian Robert Lim met with the lawyers of both sides last night to try to thresh out the return of the source code. However, both sets of lawyers still have to consult with their principals overseas.

Both sides agreed to meet again Monday night.

Dominion is represented by the Sycip Salazar Law Office while Smartmatic is represented by ACCRA Law.

"I was trying to force the issue. We have to finish this. I have certain commitments kailangan matapos na natin ito. Wala, natapos kami by saying sabi nila we have to consult principals," the Comelec chief said.

Brillantes reiterated their request that both sides not drag the upcoming midterm election into their squabble."They were willing to not interfere with elections in the Philippines," he said.

He told them: "The only way you can do that is bigay na yung certified source code para tapos na. Kayo mag-away na kayo. Wag niyo na kami isali."